Johnston Foster

Lives and works in Halifax, NS, Canada

Artist statement

For nearly 25 years, Johnston Foster’s signature approach has been his exploration of found object assemblage. Pulling from his immense inventory of salvaged/repurposed objects and materials, Foster has created a body of work that has reduced the sculptural medium of his production exclusively of materials and objects that are discarded and destined for the landfill. Through tactile, improvised alchemy, and a detailed hands on approach, Foster has created objects and installations inspired by anatomy, mythology, and the animal kingdom. The objects created present open narratives and meditations on natural and creative processes and humankind’s inherent connection and coexistence to the natural world. Finding inspiration in humankind’s ingenuity and folly, Foster’s singular, analog, and rough hewn aesthetic aspires towards an art form that is both life affirming, cautionary and humble. Foster’s initial attraction to rubbish and the discarded was it’s abundance, accessibility and variety of form, texture and malleability. The artist’s hands on manipulation and transformation of the materials revealed new levels of meaning and content. Foster could not ignore the history, experience and energy each material and object contained. Over the last few years Foster has reduced his his sculptural medium of his production to a single material: discarded and broken furniture. The many styles of furniture (varied from unique, antique, and fine crafted objects to massed produced,...

Artwork