FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

David O. Johnson
LOITER

May 5th– May 27th, 2007
OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, May 5th, 6pm-9pm

little tree gallery
3412 22nd St @ Guerrero
San Francisco, CA 94110
415.643.4929
www.littletreegallery.com
info@littletreegallery.com

little tree gallery is pleased to present the work of David O. Johnson in his solo show entitled LOITER. Presenting sculpture and drawing, Mr. Johnson endorses his minimalist exploration of neon as social commentary and also as impractical means for relaxation.

Playing off the commercial uses of neon, David O. Johnson transforms this bright and showy material into quiet discourse. With two pieces, Mr. Johnson tricks the viewer, or more so the passer-by, into seeing the work as everyday signage. The first piece will be displayed protruding from a wooden transformer box and placed atop the gallery’s storefront window seat. In red neon, the sign commands LOITER. Mr. Johnson instructs the viewer to engage in a shunned activity. Hang out. Chill. Talk with friends. Look suspicious. Mr. Johnson presents us with a typical human characteristic that has become sinister in our urban society.

The second piece, hanging in the same window, resembles a generic, neon OPEN sign. Mr. Johnson’s sign will read open on one side and closed on the other. Both sides will simultaneously be lit. The piece can be displayed in either position. If the OPEN sign is facing the street, one would assume to be invited into the gallery, but once inside, the sign will read CLOSED, a pointed play on customer service and experience. Vice versa, the sign will read CLOSED to the street, yet the people inside will feel like members of an exclusive club.

Rounding out the show, David O. Johnson will present a symbol of comfort and relaxation: a 3-dimensional neon armchair, mimicking the contours of a tall, broad-backed Victorian chair. Clear tubes filled with red neon will give off a warm, inviting glow that says, “Come hither” and “Don’t touch” in the same breath. In addition, Mr. Johnson will have limited edition prints of the final sketch of this bold sculpture.

David O. Johnson will be in the upcoming Bay Area Currents at the Oakland Art Gallery, curated by Aimee Chang, Curator of Contemporary Art at the Orange County Museum. He has been featured in Artweek, The SF Examiner, and Flavor Pill, among others, and has shown nationally and internationally. Mr. Johnson received his MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute.

little tree gallery is pleased to be offering David O. Johnson’s work for a second time. For inquiries and questions regarding the show, please contact us by phone at (415) 643-4929 or by email at info@littletreegallery.com.