Artist and Project Info

Dreaming Without Sleeping: February 24, 2012 through April 20, 2012

The Active Space opens an all-new exhibition space in its Bushwick facility with a reception for “Dreaming Without Sleeping,” a presentation of new works by Criminy Johnson | QRST. Curated by Robin Grearson.

Background
Emerging artist Criminy Johnson left the Midwest after college and spent several years in San Francisco before arriving in New York in 2007. Johnson has been living and painting in Brookyln since 2009. His work has been exhibited locally at Brooklyn’s Mighty Tanaka gallery and Johnson’s paintings were part of the “Stay Gold” group show at the Active Space in 2011 (click here for information). His work has also been exhibited in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta. Street art by QRST has become familiar to New York viewers recently but has also appeared in New Orleans and San Francisco. QRST‘s paintings have been included in exhibitions at Factory Fresh, CrestFest, and other venues.

Artist Statement, Criminy Johnson
When I was a kid, I would notice certain places that seemed to be magic. Not the sort that’s fun and safe, but something strange, something that it might not be wise to turn one’s back to. These places were almost always ordinary and pedestrian: the perpetually disused lobby of my grandmother’s condominium building, the triangle of grass and pine trees between an interstate and the on-ramp, an abandoned stone quarry. They all seemed to hum with a dim potential, and for some unfathomable reason, stood out against all of the other places that I encountered.

More info/images: Criminy Johnson|QRST

Press release:
Brooklyn, NEW YORK—The Active Space opens an all-new exhibition space in its Bushwick facility with a reception for “Dreaming Without Sleeping,” a presentation of new works by Criminy Johnson | QRST, on February 24, 2012.

“Dreaming Without Sleeping” allows viewers to glimpse the artist’s view of our waking world: a bent, slightly pessimistic and occasionally hostile place populated by animals and people who are often reluctant to be interrupted by the viewer.

“Criminy makes oil paintings in his studio but often makes wheatpastes that relate to these in some way. Many people are familiar with Criminy’s work but may have seen it outside of a gallery setting, and QRST fans might be discovering Criminy Johnson’s paintings for the first time,” says curator Robin Grearson, who worked with Johnson last year on a group show at the Active Space.  “Criminy has been in Bushwick for a few years, and QRST’s street work often shows up here, so the Active Space is an ideal location to present the two styles together.”

“We opened in February of last year, so I’m happy that the first show in our building’s brand-new gallery space falls on our first anniversary,” says Ashley Zelinskie, director of The Active Space. “Robin is an accomplished writer, yet this is the third show she has curated here. Last year we discovered that we really work well together, and one thing I appreciate about my role as director of a Bushwick art space is the opportunity I have to support emerging artists and curators I believe in.” Zelinskie says.

The opening reception for “Dreaming Without Sleeping” takes place February 24, 2012, from 7-10 PM. The show will be open to the public by appointment through April 20, 2012. Email ashley@566johnsonave.com.

Dreaming Without Sleeping
February 24, 2012 through April 20, 2012
The Active Space
566 Johnson Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11237
www.566johnsonave.com

contact, media requests:
Robin Grearson, curator
Dreaming Without Sleeping
mail@robingrearson.com

contact, gallery requests:
Ashley Zelinskie, director
The Active Space
Ashley@566johnsonave.com
646/284-6364

Images, top to bottom:
Dichotomy, Criminy Johnson, oil on canvas.
Cleaning Fish, QRST, mixed media on paper, wheatpaste on wood.
Babylon the Great Is Fallen, QRST, mixed media on paper.
Narcissus, Criminy Johnson, oil on canvas.

###