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Stephen Johnson’s work appears at first as a playful celebration of domestic ornament and kitsch. Yet beyond the ‘nice’ and ‘pretty’, his work uses objects void of physical use-value to consider our need for emotional function throughout our every day life.

His most recent pieces propose a surreal Alice in Wonderland world of escape. We see rabbits twice the size of dogs float amongst giant candies and mini hearts. On closer inspection, or perhaps imagination permitting, delicate narratives exist within his work as teddies make friends with ducks, mice share their dinner with dogs and happy snails ware pretty bows. He proposes an alternative world, free from negativity, a reality harmonious and utopian, safe and predictable.

By working with readymade objects he achieves a direct relationship with his interest in peoples need for domestic ornament and kitsch throughout their everyday lives. Such a fascination stems from his own experiences as a child growing up in a typically working class environment where such objects of desire would offer so many alternatives to the sometimes harsh realities of everyday life.

In many of his works he joins together ornaments, referencing his love of classic ornamentation like Baroque and Rococo for their ability to warp so many of realties facets like gravity, scale and rules of nature.

Now Isn't That Lovely #7

2007
45cm High (approx)

Now Isn't That Lovely #4

2007
55cm High (approx)

Now Isn't That Lovely #5

2007
60cm High (approx)

'The Green One' Genuine Bows Collection

2007
15cm High (approx)

'Who's a Pretty Birdie Then' Genuine Bows Collection

2007
12cm High (approx)

'Little Treasure' Genuine Bows Collection

2007
13cm High (approx)

'Hammy Hamster' Genuine Bows Collection

2007
11cm High (approx)