TAM // The Current : 2025 nominee : Barry Johnson

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Get to know The Current, An Artist Award 2025 nominee, Barry Johnson.

Barry Johnson is a visual artist based in Washington state, whose work explores the figure and its relationship to space. Through his art, he strives to address the historical erasure of Black figures in art and bring visibility to underrepresented communities.

His focus on the figure allows him to capture the human experience and emotions, while space serves as a backdrop for the narrative.

For the past decade, Johnson has engaged in a unique studio practice where he devotes a year to exploring a specific theme. This theme could focus on a particular medium, narrative, or color. At the end of the year, he departs from the series and begins something new.

Through his art, Barry hopes to inspire conversations and promote social change. As a Black artist, he is committed to using his platform to amplify marginalized voices and tell stories that have been neglected in the art world. His art is a reflection of his personal experiences and those of the people around him.

Johnson’s art has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Edwin T. Pratt Award, the smART Ventures Award, and the GAP Award. He was a finalist for Seattle Art Museum’s Betty Bowen Award and the Cornish School of the Arts’ Neddy Award. His work has been exhibited and collected across the United States, including the State Department collection in Washington D.C. Johnson has participated in residencies at Amazon, Facebook, and BASE Experimental Space, and he has created multiple public artworks across the Pacific Northwest.

Johnson is represented by Winston Wachter.

https://www.tacomaartmuseum.org/resou...

The Current is an annual, unrestricted award providing financial and institutional support to a Black artist living and working in the Tacoma area. In recognition of artistic excellence and future promise, the awardee will receive a $15,000 unrestricted gift. Additionally, the awardee has the option of receiving various forms of support from the institution: whether that be career and artistry support or designing a program — all would include the full support of the Museum’s facilities, staff expertise, and labor. This dual investment champions the awardee directly and proliferates resources for the artist’s community, providing resources and strengthening networks that make creating art easier for Black artists.

www.tacomaartmuseum.org