Ann “Sole Sister” Johnson

 

ARTIST STATEMENT

Growing up in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Ann Sole Sister Johnson reminisces on and continues to treasure the rodeo events that she watched each summer. With Cheyenne, Wyoming being responsible for holding the largest rodeo events in the country, each summer was truly a treat because of the powwow's and other events held by the Lakota Plains Nation. Johnson remembers how the adornment of powwow costumes fascinated her and how this intrigue has impacted her work greatly. As an artist, her work features special beading, intricate jewelry, feathers and cowrie shells and as a mixed media artist, she has developed a passion for exploring issues in the Black community. Her works can be described as evocative and engaging and she aspires to leave a legacy of challenging and thought provoking work that will entice and inspire the viewer as well as younger artists.

 

BIO

Ann ‘Sole Sister’ Johnson is an artist who paints portraits with her feet. Yes her feet!!!!! Born in London, England and raised in Cheyenne, WY, Ann is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University in Texas, (where she now teaches) majoring in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Art. Sole (as she’s called by friends) has also received a Master’s of Arts degree in Humanities from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, as well as an MFA in printmaking from The Academy of Art University. Primarily a mixed media artist, Johnson’s passion for exploring issues particularly in the Black community has led her to create series’ of works that are evocative and engaging. such as: The Hoop Dreamin Collection: a series of decorative basketball goals that explores the social issue of a Hoop Dream, and It Is The Not Knowing That Burns My Soul, an investigation of exploratory mixed media works that examine the “Black Indian". Ann’s work has been exhibited nationally in solo, group and juried exhibitions.