What's new with Jasper Johns

So what's new with the American Abstract Expressionist Artist and Sculptor, Jasper Johns. His art is always busy and on display. Even his first sculpture 'Light Bulb I' from 1958 has been unable to retire from the spotlight. It was recently donated to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Earlier in the year the Museum of Modern Art in New York acquired a series of his works from 2001 and celebrated the acquisition with an exhibition entitled, Focus: Jasper Johns. Giving viewers an opportunity to study in depth his eclectic creations. In 2006 his painting, 'False Start' became the most expensive painting ever sold by a living artist. The price tag was a whopping $80 million dollars.

Curators, art professors, historians and buyers all have a lot to say about Jasper Johns. Robert Storr, Dean of Yale University's School of Art, went so far as to call Johns ~

“One of the most important painters of his generation.”

This is quite a compliment when you consider the fact that 'his generation' included the late great, Mark Rothko. Johns also holds the title of one of the greatest print makers of any era. Keep in mind this group includes; Dürer, Rembrandt, Goya, Munch, and Picasso. With so many accomplishments, so much success and knowledge you would figure Johns would have a lot to say about art -- his in particular. But yet, he remains vague on the subject. Choosing instead to let his art speak for him and let the people make of it what they will. That's why his art is always on display and he isn't.

So back to my question, what's new with Jasper Jones? Not much. He is still the same straight forward, down to earth, honest man he's always been. And although his busy art has made him the most expensive living artist in the world he has not forgotten his southern roots. While his art is quite busy touring the globe visiting lofted places being viewed by the world's most famous faces...he's at home on his farm sipping tea and reading a good book in shade just relaxing after spending a long day hard at work in the studio. A great artist who has chosen to remain a humble man.


To be an artist you have to give up everything, including the desire to be a good artist.

Jasper Johns