Merritt Johnson facts for kids

Merritt Johnson (born in 1977) is an American artist who creates amazing contemporary art. Her work often focuses on themes related to Native American cultures and experiences.

Early Life and Learning

Merritt Johnson was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1977.

She loved art from a very young age. She found a book with paintings by the famous artist Pablo Picasso and that sparked her interest.

She studied art at two different universities. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University. Later, she received a Master's degree in Fine Arts from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

Her Art and Career

Merritt Johnson has shared that people sometimes see her art differently. This can happen because some viewers, especially those who are not Indigenous, might not know much about Indigenous terms, cultures, or lands. She mentioned that when people think of Native American art, they sometimes only imagine "beads and feathers."

Johnson uses traditional materials in her art. She does this to highlight important issues that have a long history for Indigenous communities. Her work helps people think about these topics in new ways.

About Her Ancestry Claims

From 2014 to 2018, Merritt Johnson described herself, and was described by others, as having Mohawk and Blackfoot heritage. She mentioned being of "mixed Kanienkehaka (Mohawk), Blackfoot, and non-Indigenous descent."

However, in May 2021, some questions were raised about her claims of Indigenous ancestry. After these questions, Johnson decided to remove her artwork from a special exhibition at the Fruitlands Museum. This exhibition was specifically for works by Native American artists.

Where Her Art Is Kept

Merritt Johnson's artwork is part of the permanent collections at these museums:

• Birmingham Museum of Art, located in Birmingham, Alabama
• Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Art Shows and Exhibitions

Merritt Johnson's art has been shown in many exhibitions, both by herself and with other artists.

Solo Shows

• Merritt Johnson: Exorcising America (2018, Salt Lake City, Utah): In this show, Johnson used a model to show the challenges Indigenous people have faced. It also highlighted their deep love and connection to their land.

Group Shows

• Monarchs: Brown and Native Contemporary Artists in the Path of the Butterfly (2019, Overland Park, Kansas): This exhibition explored the difficulties Native people have experienced, like being forced to change their ways or facing unfair treatment. The butterfly in the title represented the many generations who have survived and thrived on their native lands.
• New Acquisitions: 2011–2017 (2018, Santa Fe, New Mexico): This show featured new artworks that the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) had added to its collection over six years.
• Connective Tissue: New Approaches to Fiber in Contemporary Native Art (2017, Santa Fe, New Mexico): This exhibition brought together Native American artists who use different types of fiber art. Fiber art is interesting because it connects to cultural heritage and new ways of using old traditions.
• Opening Exhibition (Oakland, California): This show featured various artists who explored themes like the environment, social class, and race in the United States.
• On Being Illiberal (2018, Toronto, Ontario, Canada): This exhibition brought together three artists who shared ideas for a future led by Indigenous people.

Her Life Today

Merritt Johnson is married and has six children, including her own and stepchildren. She lives with her family in Sitka, Alaska.