Lee Johnson, born in Wiltshire, has lived and worked in London since 2000. He gained an MA in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins in 2001.
His paintings often begin with objects or images close to hand, transforming through layers of paint into something entirely new. Johnson's work resists being defined as still life, portraiture, or abstraction, instead emerging from the dynamic process of painting. His canvases, dense with layers and activity, often rest for extended periods, with the original inspiration buried beneath paint that shapes each piece's unique personality.
Johnson has earned several accolades, including selection for the John Moores Painting Prize (2010) and finalist for the Contemporary British Painting Prize (2023). In 2021, he won the inaugural Lido Stores Open, resulting in a solo exhibition in 2022.
He has exhibited widely, including at Hastings Contemporary, Kettle's Yard, the Walker Art Gallery, and Torre Abbey, as well as internationally in New York, Melbourne, Copenhagen, Athens, and Malta. His works are held in collections such as Soho House, Kettle's Yard, University of the Arts London, and private collections across the UK, Europe, and the US.
