Christopher Johnson: The Blue Chair & Places in Between

This exhibition of oil and mixed-media paintings by Christopher Johnson offers landscapes, still life and figure drawing. With his vibrant colours the artist powerfully evokes memories of much-loved landscapes and objects.

The ‘blue chair’ of the title appears in several works: as the subject, with a landscape painting or vase propped in the background, and as the model’s chair while she sleeps or sits quietly reading.

Throughout forty years as a professional painter Johnson keeps returning to the themes of people and places. He notes that inspiration for a painting can occur anywhere, at any time: in a gallery, in a square in Italy, or simply while musing over a cup of coffee. Johnson says: “nature is the greatest teacher, and the great painters also inspire”.

A few years ago Johnson returned to his native Zimbabwe. Lockdown prevented the return to his studio; instead he travelled for a year and a half, painting in places he had missed and longed for. He finds that he is drawn to warmer locations – the Mediterranean, Africa – and he regards the making of paintings a joy and a privilege.

“Travel, whether it be in search of the subjects that move us, or the people that make us whole, has been a constant in my life”.

Highgate Gallery is open:
Wednesday – Friday: 1pm – 5pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 4pm