Anna Johnson wants to bridge the gap between the world she lives in and the culture she comes from. A Grand Forks, N.D., native and enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa Indians, she believes art is the only way she can express her feelings when she experiences discrimination or when something moves her to make a difference about social injustice, religion and spirituality and other issues that people everywhere face on a daily basis. Johnson is a visual arts student at North Dakota State University.
In an effort to publicly express her feelings and show her art, the NDSU Equity and Diversity Center is displaying Johnson's art exhibit, titled "Coming Out." People from NDSU, as well as the Fargo-Moorhead community, are invited to view the exhibit and attend a reception on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 4:30 p.m. at the Equity and Diversity Center. This exhibit is presented in collaboration with the Memorial Union Gallery and most of Johnson's work is available for purchase.
"We are thrilled to offer the Equity & Diversity Center as another space in which students like Anna can display their art," said Kara Gravley-Stack, director of the center. "Opportunities such as this help us to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students and make the space seem more like a home away from home."
The imagery in Johnson's work comes directly from her Chippewa culture. She uses many different totem animals and traditional designs in her artwork. "I work with many different mediums, but I have been concentrating on drawing and printmaking. I use many different forms of water media, such as watercolor and ink, where I use my own techniques to get the layers that mark my creative process," Johnson said. "Most recently, I have been working with collage on many different levels, as a background, or as the main focus. I use simple textures and natural items in my work, such as birch bark and different fabrics. I believe that the materials I use can create the layers and dimensions in my work that I strive for."
Following graduation, Johnson plans to work toward a Master of Fine Arts degree and eventually give back to her community through teaching. She recently won the NDSU Billboard Competition with her drawing "Changes." Her work also has been shown in the Red River Watercolor Society's 16th annual National Juried Watermedia Exhibition at the Plains Art Museum.
Johnson's artwork will be on display through the end of May. The Equity and Diversity Center is located in the Alba Bales House, 1260 University Drive North, Fargo.
