Photograph by Clemens Kois, courtesy of Patrick Parrish Gallery.
Paul J. Smith has commented that expressive basketry was scarcely known when Objects: USA was created; Ed Rossbach was arguably the only artist included in the show who sought to expand the possibilities of the medium in a sculptural direction. In the fifty years since, a lot has changed: basketmaking now stands as one of the most dynamic genres in the field. But if there is a single maker who seems to have inherited Rossbach’s legacy, it might be Doug Johnston.
Johnston almost always works with cotton cord, stitched using industrial sewing machines. To this base, he adds diverse materials including found objects, with results varying hugely in format and scale. Johnston’s pieces range from seemingly functional vessels to tall, thin totems, to amorphous wall-hung sculpture. More recently, he has expanded the technique into lighting applications.
Carousel hanging lamp in cotton, nylon, sewing threads, and electrical components. Designed and made by Doug Johnson, USA, 2021.
53” L x 23” W x 22” H
134.6cm L x 73.7cm W x 55.9cm H
HL2295