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News • New Mexico • United States • 2011-12-16

Kachina Mythmaker Bobby Johnson to Display in the Rio Grande Theatre Gallery This January

The fantastic three- and two-dimensional Kachina art of Bobby Johnson will be on display in the El Paso Electric Gallery, South of the Rio Grande Theatre lobby, for the month of January, 2012. Featured in the show will be woodwork Kachina dolls and two-dimensional Kachina-inspired illustrations, all from the fertile imagination of the artist, who uses Native American myth and legend as a springboard for his wholly original creations. The exhibit will run through the month of January 2012, beginning with an artist reception on January 6, from 5 to 7pm, as part of the Downtown Art Ramble.

A self-taught artist and native of Las Cruces, Bobby Johnson took his early fascination with Native American culture, spirituality and art and shaped it into a unique artform which has garnered praise from any who have come in contact with it. Though Kachina dolls have been an integral part of Native American tradition for centuries, Bobby\'s take incorporates fantasy elements with tribal tattoo flash art to create a more contemporary and whimsical final product. \"I tell people, the best way to describe my work is Southwest Fantasy Art, since I now tend to stray very far from tradition,\" says Johnson. \"My art is forever evolving in my mind, even while I\'m working on it. My Kachinas continue to explore their fantasy side and, thankfully, my admirers are constantly surprised by each new piece I produce.\"

The exhibit in the El Paso Electric Gallery will run through the month of January 2012, beginning with an artist reception on January 6, from 5 to 7pm, as part of the Downtown Art Ramble. Also included that evening will be the Howling Coyote Coffeehouse/Open Mic, beginning at 7pm. On permanent display in the Clute/Muggenburg Gallery are memorabilia and photos from the Rio Grande Theatre\'s long and illustrious reign in downtown Las Cruces.

The Rio Grande Theatre galleries, located in the lobby of the historic Rio Grande Theatre at 211 N. Main in Las Cruces, are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. For more information, contact the Arts Council office at (575) 523-6403 or go to www.riograndetheatre.com.

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