UH ALUMNI'S ART SHINES IN CINEMA LEGEND'S COLLECTION AT THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM

At the intersection of creativity, culture, and narrative, Michael E. Johnson, a proud alum of the University of Houston, has carved a unique path in the art world. His journey from childhood doodles to exhibiting alongside some of the art world's luminaries is nothing short of remarkable. And one cinema legend has taken notice.

Johnson’s work is currently on exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum as part of “Spike Lee: Creative Sources.” The immersive installation showcases artworks from the celebrated filmmaker's personal collection, aiming to help viewers explore the inspirations behind his acclaimed creative output.

For Johnson, having his work exhibited as part of such a collection is a dream come true.

“I was initially contacted by the curator from the Brooklyn Museum as she was inquiring about information concerning a custom Mars Blackmon piece Spike had purchased from me,” Johnson said. “I quickly relayed the information she needed and then I sat back and started to grasp the potential idea that my piece may somehow get displayed in a prestigious museum. Once everything sunk in, I immediately was in awe, excited, and honored all at the same time.”

Johnson said that having his work featured in Lee's exhibition is beyond gratifying.

“Spike Lee is an iconic filmmaker, a creative’s creative, and a master curator of culture, so being collected by him while also being included in his exhibition is the ultimate nod of validation in my opinion,” Johnson said.

Johnson’s artistic journey began at the age of five. A childhood sketch of the Hamburglar sparked a revelation, as his uncle, an artist, pointed out the minutest details. This formative moment ignited his commitment to exploring the complexities of illustration.While his passion for drawing was ever-present, it wasn't until his time as an undergraduate at Prairie View A&M University that he decided to make art his career. It was during this time that he met his artistic mentor, Reverend Clarence Talley, who inspired him to embrace art as a profession.

“Throughout my life I was always drawing, but I didn’t really lock in and focus on art as a potential career until I went to Prairie View A&M University and decided to major in their advertising art program,” Johnson said. “That was when I met my teacher and artistic mentor, Reverend Clarence Talley, who inspired me to be a professional artist.”

Following the completion of his undergraduate studies, Johnson pursued further education in painting through the post-baccalaureate art program at UH. Where his prior education had focused on creating objective, aesthetic-pleasing work, his time at UH encouraged Johnson to delve deeper into the more subjective realms of fine art and illustration.

“When I came to UH, I was essentially a graphic designer that specialized in airbrushing and illustration,” Johnson said. “Creating conceptual artwork was a challenge to my sensibility of what I understood art to be due to my formal training as a graphic artist.”

“As an illustrator, my perspective of ‘good art’ was mainly defined by rigid standards of technical execution displayed on a piece of artwork. However, over time, I began to evolve in my understanding of the subjective nature of fine art as a means of self-expression. From this evolution, I learned how to appreciate a wider range of works from various genres and time periods without confining the limits of creative expression.”

Johnson's unique style is a fusion of pop art, graphic design, narrative painting, and Black history. He draws inspiration from luminaries such as Piet Mondrian, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, as well as contemporary icons like Kaws. With the intention of crafting fine art pieces that narrate stories while exuding the visual allure of graphic design posters, Johnson's “The Chronicles”series is a testament to his unique approach.

As an African American artist, Johnson's creative endeavors are driven by the hope of inspiring awareness about the multifaceted facets of Black history and culture in America, fostering intellectual dialogues surrounding the enduring legacy of Black people in American history.

“I create work that is inspired by my personal experiences and the people that I consider to be trendsetters in the evolution of American popular culture,” Johnson said. “I’m really hoping that my work can be appreciated as a contemporary visual of Black popular culture in the areas of street wear, hip hop, music, sports, cinema, and politics. It’s my desire that my work may be a source of inspiration for a future generation of young creatives.”

Johnson said that the incorporation of his art in Lee's exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum signifies a remarkable pinnacle in his distinctive artistic career.

“I am truly flattered to be featured alongside artists like Kehinde Wiley, Deborah Roberts, and Michael Ray Charles to name some of the participants I know of in this exhibition,” Johnson said. “There will be works and memorabilia from the likes of Gordon Parks, Muhammad Ali, Prince, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and many other legends as well.”

“These are all amazing people whose works I have seen for years in documentaries and in interviews, so it gives me a true sense of personal accomplishment. It makes me feel that I must be doing something worthy of being in the conversation amongst such greatness. It’s definitely a surreal feeling.”