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Mark Johnston originated and developed a circular, aerial, panoramic, photomontage,
with the camera suspended 6.5m off the ground. Researching prehistoric architecture
and monuments. Developing the idea that they can be partly understood as
abstract art, as pictures on the ground and as an expression of the way that
early peoples perceived their surroundings, based on a "circular" horizon.
New work develops this circular way of looking as a metaphor for 20th century
cosmology based on a curved (non-Euclidean) geometry of Space and time. The
pictures a/so imply a fresh balance between the viewer and the surrounding
environment, a naturalistic feeling for passing time, and discontinuity in
perception. This is proposed as a development of Renaissance perspective.
The range of work includes circular photomontage pictures (megalithic and
modem, religious and secular) from, New York, Portugal, Slovakia, Thailand,
India, Denmark, England, and Scotland.
1980-84 BSc Biochemistry, University of Edinburgh.
1988-91 BA Fine Art Photography Glasgow School of Art.
Originated and developed a circular, aerial, panoramic, photomontage, with
the camera suspended 6.5m off the ground. Researching prehistoric architecture
and monuments. Developing the idea that they can be partly understood as abstract
art, as pictures on the ground and as an expression of the way that early peoples
perceived their surroundings, based on a "circular" horizon.
New work develops this circular way of looking as a metaphor for 20th century
cosmology based on a curved (non-Euclidean) geometry of Space and time. The
pictures a/so imply a fresh balance between the viewer and the surrounding
environment, a naturalistic feeling for passing time, and discontinuity in
perception. This is proposed as a development of Renaissance perspective. The
range of work includes circular photomontage pictures (megalithic and modem,
religious and secular) from, New York, Portugal, Slovakia, Thailand, India,
Denmark, England, and Scotland.
Solo Exhibitions
1993 'Mother of Invention' -Aberdeen Art Gallery, Scotland. Scottish International
Festival of Photography,
1996-97 'Petrified Garden, Stone circles and other Architecture' -An Lanntair
Gallery, Stornoway, Western Isles. Touring.
1997 Archaeological Museum, National Museums of Slovakia , International
festival of photography in Bratislava, Slovakia. November 1997
1998 Royal Museum, National Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh. (January-March)
1999 "Curve" - The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Queen St,
Edinburgh. (March -May).
Developing with pictures and text, a circular way of looking, that parallels
the idea of curved space and non-Euclidean geometry in Einstein's theory
of General Relativity. This exhibition includes circular, aerial, photomontages
of landscapes, and architecture, with original text on the relation of geometry,
science, and perception.
2002 Peter Hay Halpert Fine Art, New York.
Group Exhibitions (selected)
1995-97 'Calanais; the Atlantic stones' -An Lanntair Gallery, Western Isles.
Toured Scotland, and Lorient, France.
1996-98 'Second Sightings' Inverness Art Gallery, touring.
1998 'MacTotem: Reviewing the Duke of Sutherland Monument' - An Lanntair
Gallery, Western Isles, Scotland
2001 "Living the Land", Duff House Gallery, Banff, Scotland. Touring.
2001 "The Fine Art of Photography", The Scottish National Portrait
Gallery, Edinburgh. (October - January)
Media/ Lectures:
1998 Stone Circles I, lunch-time lecture series, Scottish National Portrait
Gallery.
1999 "Curve" artist lecture, lunchtime lecture series, Scottish
National Portrait Gallery.
Publications
1995 'Calanais' exhibition catalogue.
1997 'Premio Internazionale Romeo Martinez' catalogue.
1998 Interview for 'Studies in Photography 1997'.
1998 Cover illustration and artist statement for "The Significance of
Monuments"(Routledge).
1998 "MacTotem" exhibition catalogue.
1999 Portfolio Magazine (Issue 28)
2000 Cover for" The Archaeology of Natural Places" (Routledge)
2001 "Living the Land" exhibition catalogue.
2001 Companion Guide to Photography in the National galleries of Scotland.
Collections
Public collections: National Museums of Scotland, National Galleries of Scotland.
Corporate collections: Deutsche Bank, Scotia Pharmaceuticals, Standard Life.Turcan
Connell
solicitors. BP Exploration.
Commissions
Michael Laird Partnership. Historic Scotland/Archaeological Department, University
of Reading
