Jasper Johns
Jasper Johns
Full Name and Common Aliases
Jasper Johns was born on May 13, 1930, in Augusta, Georgia. He is also known by the alias "Jasper" to his friends and colleagues.
Birth and Death Dates
May 13, 1930 - Present (still active)
Nationality and Profession(s)
American painter, printmaker, sculptor, and photographer. Johns is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Early Life and Background
Jasper Johns was born to Julian Avery Johns, a family doctor, and Helen Woods Williams Johns, a former schoolteacher. His parents later divorced when he was just seven years old. This event would have a profound impact on his life and art. After his father's remarriage, the family moved frequently, with Johns attending several different schools.
Johns' interest in art began at an early age, encouraged by his mother, who bought him art supplies and enrolled him in art classes. He attended the University of South Carolina for a brief period before dropping out to serve in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. During this time, he worked as a photographer's assistant, which would eventually influence his artistic style.
Major Accomplishments
Jasper Johns is best known for his contribution to the development of Pop Art and his innovative use of materials such as paint, metal, and found objects in his works. He is celebrated for pushing the boundaries between art and everyday life, often incorporating familiar images from popular culture into his paintings and sculptures.
Some of his most notable works include:
Flag (1954-55): A painting that explores the idea of a flag as a symbol of national identity.
Target (1958): A series of paintings featuring bullseye targets, which would become one of Johns' signature motifs.
Shores (1994-97): A large-scale sculpture consisting of three interconnected pieces.Notable Works or Actions
Johns is also recognized for his bold and provocative actions in the art world. For example:
In 1955, he created a series of encaustic paintings that incorporated found objects, such as nails and fabric, to create textured surfaces.
In the 1960s, Johns began experimenting with printmaking techniques, producing works like Bull's Eye Paintings (1968-70).
His use of everyday materials and commercial imagery in his art has had a lasting impact on modern art.
Impact and Legacy
Jasper Johns' groundbreaking work has influenced generations of artists. He is celebrated for challenging traditional notions of art and pushing the boundaries between high art and popular culture. His innovative approach to materials, forms, and symbols has inspired countless artists, including Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg.
Johns has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 1993, he was appointed a Commander of Arts and Letters by the French government. He is also a member of both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Design.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Jasper Johns' quotes are often cited for their insight into his artistic process and creative philosophy:
"I paint things as they appear to me, but what I see is not the same as what others see."
"Art is a thing that has no function, no purpose, except to exist."
These quotes reflect his commitment to exploring new ways of seeing and experiencing art. His innovative approach has transformed our understanding of what art can be, making him one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century.
Jasper Johns' remarkable life and career serve as a testament to the power of artistic innovation and creativity.
Quotes by Jasper Johns
Jasper Johns's insights on:
In the place where I was a child, there were no artists and there was no art, so I really didn't know what that meant.
I decided that if my work contained what I could identify as a likeness to other work, I would remove it.'
Sometimes I see it and then paint it. Other times I paint it and then see it. Both are impure situations, and I prefer neither.
That’s what painting does; it organizes vision in a certain way or suggests that certain things be paid attention to and certain other things not be paid attention to. It functions in that way to a certain extent in our civilization.
There was very little art in my childhood. I was raised in South Carolina; I wasn’t aware of any art in South Carolina. There was a minor museum in Charleston, which had nothing of interest in it. It showed local artists, paintings of birds.
Working is very important to me. Probably because as a child I was taught that work was good. I don’t believe it intellectually but I identify with that idea. So it’s probably just like a habit.
Bend color names which should be made of neon or copper tubing. Place an object on a surface – trace the object – then bend the object – leaving some part of it attached.
One wants one’s work to be the world, but of course it’s never the world. The work is in the world; it never contains the whole thing.
I have no ideas about what the paintings imply about the world. I don’t think that’s a painter’s business. He just paints paintings without a conscious reason.