Curatorial notes
William H. Johnson made this painting, Classroom Scene, with oil on board. Look at the way Johnson fearlessly applied paint, creating flat, vibrant shapes. The colors are bold, almost shouting at you, and the forms are simplified, reduced to their essence. It's like Johnson is saying, "Here's the feeling, the heart of the matter," cutting out all the unnecessary details. The texture of the paint is palpable; you can almost feel the strokes and the way he layered color upon color. Notice the teacher’s hand, the way it’s painted as a shape, a symbol of authority and how this leads your eye towards the face of the pupil. It reminds me of the work of Jacob Lawrence, with his interest in everyday life and the power of storytelling. Johnson invites us to see the world with fresh eyes, to embrace the joy and complexity of the human experience. He reminds us that art is not just about replicating reality but about creating new ways of seeing, feeling, and being in the world.