Every month, Third Degree welcomes a new local artist to showcase their work in our East Gallery as a part of our Third Friday open house. This month, we are proudly showcasing the artwork of Alex Johnmeyer in their first solo show, Background Noise.
The paintings Alex has created for this exhibition were inspired by photographs from the artist’s own life. The exhibition shares a narrative of the contrast between living in a city versus a country lifestyle, highlighting everyday objects and landscapes that typically act as background noise to our daily lives. Viewers of this exhibition will experience a transformation from the noise of urban environments, such as on busy streets and inside bars and concert venues, to the quieter “noise” and otherwise seemingly mundane objects which exist in the background in small towns and the countryside.
Background Noise also highlights the artist’s versatility on the canvas, with featured works in watercolor and acrylics, as well as ceramic stucco, pumice gel, latex and shredded paper for additional 3D elements.
Background Noise is on display through Wednesday, September 13. You can see more of Alex’s work on their website.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Alex Johnmeyer is a contemporary artist working in realism based in St Louis, Missouri. Born in 1978 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Alex always wanted to be an artist. In 1996, Alex majored in fine art and film at Southwest Missouri State University. In 2008, Alex made the decision to start their company, Super Keen Creations, LLC selling commissioned paintings to personal art collectors, and St. Louis businesses.
In 2011, Alex began showing their work in galleries such as Art Saint Louis, The St. Louis Artists’ Guild, Clayton Fine Art Gallery, and The Foundry of St. Charles. Alex actively participates in charity benefits throughout the year, including “Wall Ball”, a charity auction event to benefit Artscope and “The Art of PAWS”, a benefit for the St. Louis Effort for AIDS.
Alex enjoys volunteering with a number of non-profit organizations. In June 2013, Alex helped co-found The Metro Trans Umbrella Group, a transgender advocacy and support organization, serving as Social Chair on the Board of Directors for one year, and continues to volunteer with the organization presently. In January 2014, Alex began volunteering with MySLArt.org, an art organization which hosts monthly art exhibitions. During the three years with MySLArt.org, Alex served as Curator, Art Installation Manager, and Volunteer Coordinator on the Board of Directors through December 2016. In May of 2015, Alex became involved with The Blooming Artists Project, which pairs children (grades 3-12) from St. Louis school districts with professional artists, culminating in an opening reception with the student and mentor artists’ work side by side. Alex first acted as a participating artist, and then as co-director with Marilyn Callahan through May 2017. In June 2017, Alex was asked to be a member of the Artists Committee for The St Louis Effort for AIDS’ “Art of PAWS” event, which is a gala fundraiser, with all monies donated to individuals with HIV or AIDS, to cover the cost of their pet care needs.
Currently, Alex is working on a series of paintings which are based upon their own photography. The scenes and still lifes Alex captures are either naturally occurring or created in the artist’s studio. Alex then meticulously recreates the photography in either acrylic or watercolors and ink. Each of the resulting works is rich in its own story and emotional symbolism, inspired by color theory and societal iconography.
