LA Gallery Embraces Drive by Public Art Space Platform to Exhibit Latest Work by Micah Johnson

WHO: Art Angels and Micah Johnson, former MLB athlete (Dodgers, White Sox, Braves) turned fine artist known in the art world for his inspiring paintings and photographs depicting empowering, dream focused narratives. WHEN: December 7th through January 10th , 2020 WHERE: StandardVision billboard at the Courtyard Marriott 901 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles CA. WHAT: ˈsä-v(ə-)rən-tē (pronounced “sovereignty”), a time sensitive programmable photograph by Micah Johnson. The digital photograph features two real subjects (Jacque 8, Rayden 7) who have faced an adverse situation at a young age in a scene with an astronaut suit on one side of the door and the boys on the other. The mission of this work started by simply wanting to empower them by letting them see themselves in high art, but quickly turned into one of the most impactful use cases for art. Johnson's use of the astronaut in his works represents the dreams children aspire to. ˈsä-v(ə-)rən-tē”, which sold for over $120,000 on the blockchain to a private collector last month, will be exhibited on StandardVision billboard in Los Angeles, viewable to the public for 4 days. “As an artist I feel a responsibility to use my platform to support and inspire our youth to achieve their dreams,” says Micah Johnson regarding creating ˈsä-v(ə-)rən-tē. “When asked what I want to be when I grow up, I answered without hesitation, a baseball player because where I’m from, we don’t have a ‘Plan B’, all we have is ‘Plan A,’ “ says Johnson. “No one should be told to have a ‘Plan B’,” Johnson adds. Learn more about “ˈsä-v(ə-)rən-tē” on the website and Micah Johnson fine art. WHY: Art Angels has had the pleasure of exhibiting a diverse range of artists and novel exhibitions. Providing collectors with both analog and digital options for access to art is the next level of service and ingenuity desired by avid collectors. Public art in the moment of social distancing is a necessary ingenuity in addition to bringing the visual arts experiences online when the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted many cultural networks. Gallery owner Jacquelin Napal comments, “We are continually providing new opportunities for our artists and to bring art beyond the gallery – public art space is a timely next step." “We hope bringing poignant works like ˈsä-v(ə-)rən-tē to the community will serve as a refreshing shift of focus away from our current predicament,” adds Napal. “ Everyone should have the opportunity to view art and experience culture." Additional installations on view in the gallery include works by artists Russell Young, Micah Johnson, PunkMeTender, Lyle Owerko, Michael Moebius, Cecile Plaisance, Brendan Murphy, Craig Alan, and Rubem Robierb. Knowledge Bennett, Skyler Grey, Hebru Brantleyand Nelson Makamo.

About the Artist Micah Johnson is a self-taught figurative artist who uses strong gestural lines combined with loose brush strokes to create dramatic portraits primarily featuring African-American children. The artists first solo show entitled “Mom, can astronauts be black?” [ July 2020 at Art Angels gallery Los Angeles ] was inspired by his young nephews which began appearing in Micah’s work ever since he overheard his 4-year-old nephew ask his mother this deeply disturbing question. The work of Micah Johnson is soft spoken, conveying messages of empowerment and the dismantling of racism in a beguiling whisper by exploring the contemplation of dreams without restriction from a child’s perspective. Inspiration comes easy when you stare at the children who are living their dream as superhero, basketball player, cellist, doctor, astronaut and more. However quotidian the components of his paintings might seem on the surface--including scenes of a child pulling the nostalgic red wagon eating fruit or readying for mission in astronaut gear, they are imbued with symbolism, historical significance, and intent. Mainly, to inspire confidence in children of color to live whatever they dream is their heart’s desire. Can an artist be black? What about an astronaut? These are the heart-sinking questions Johnson wants no child to have to ask. His latest collection of his work was inspired by his young nephews. According to Johnson, they are the future and the ones who will bring the change that we are all fighting for now. Although Micah spent 7 years as a professional baseball player, you rarely see reference to his career in any of his works. Johnson’s dream focused works continue to incorporate black youth. He sees art as an opportunity to inspire a broader demographic around the subjects of racial equality, chasing your dreams without limitations, and the empowerment of young people. About Art Angels Gallery With flagship galleries in Los Angeles and Miami and permanent art curations in Nobu Hotel & Eden Roc Hotel Miami Beach, The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Miami, and Catch Restaurant Los Angeles, Art Angels was founded in 2013 by Jacquelin Napal and Kat Emery. Art Angels’ contemporary and provocative style has attracted collectors from around the world. Art Angels describe themselves as a premium luxury brand who are inviting and very approachable. The gallery exhibits a selection of both established and emerging artists, offering a truly eclectic mix for their clientele. Showcasing a number of barrier breaking exhibitions, including David Yarrow, Russell Young, Flore, Nick Veasey and Mike Dargas to name a few, the gallery was quick to build a cult following—so much so that they expanded their Los Angeles gallery to the East Coast. The rapidly successful gallery has become the go-to destination for artists and collectors alike, who want to be a part of something visionary and unique. Now one of the leading galleries in Los Angeles and a major player in the art and creativity sphere, the gallery has a core team of art specialists dedicated to providing collectors, designers, developers, and corporations with the tools needed to offer innovative and creative art from around the world. For more information on Art Angels Galleries, upcoming exhibitions, and current collections, contact Art Angels LA, 310.693.5500. 9020 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048.www.artangels.net. Instagram:@art_angels.