JOHNNY DEPP
JOHNNY DEPP
Throughout his illustrious career in the film industry, Johnny Depp has always seen art as a mode of escapism. Throughout his life, the multitalented creative has constantly turned to art for a ‘release’ away from the camera. Today, the artist retreats to his studio and sanctuary to quietly express himself through painting, sketching, screen printing and more.
Until recently, Johnny kept his art to himself, his family and closest friends. Forbidding anyone beyond his immediate circle to see what he had painted. Deeply appreciative of the art world, he was reluctant to release his work to the public; wary that others may perceive him as an actor exploiting his success to promote his artwork. In hindsight, Johnny now recognizes how this perspective suffocated his creative potential.
Over time, Johnny has created hundreds of paintings that illustrate his path through life; from early portrayals of his mother to more recent emotive works. Whether impasto or collaged, his art is emotion made flesh. It's the story of his life. “I’ve always used art to express my feelings and reflect on those who matter most to me like my family, friends and the people I admire."
WORKS ON DISPLAY
AN UNHOLY TRINITY
Show Statement
When you meet someone who seems to exist on a separate frequency field than the rest of us, they create a disorienting magnetism. This effect is undoubtedly associated with the unholy trinity of Johnny Depp, Ralph Steadman, and Hunter S. Thompson. We can enter their strange and marvelous world through the art of the three unique individuals. Thompson’s artistic expression mirrors his explosive personality with iconic figures caught in his literal cross fire as he preaches revelry and chaos. Steadman’s visuals cut as sharply as Thompson’s life lived. He approaches his work with satire; provoking the conventional threads of society. Depp, a younger and more spritely addition to the trio, adds a third voice in the artistic conversation. He brings the shadow of awareness and acknowledgement of the consequences of fame. The space that holds this artistic exchange reveals a shared language between the three artists, one where the boundaries between art and life are blurred and the strange and unconventional is celebrated.