Author: Deborah Colton

Daniel Johnston, Attention Sir All is Ready, 2005, Ink on Paper, 11 x 8.5 inches

Parlor Gallery proudly presents Story of an Artist, an exhibition celebrating the life and work of Daniel Johnston, running from July 27 to August 27, 2024. Located in the vibrant “Arts Bloc” of Asbury Park, this exhibition pays homage to the prolific, enigmatic American singer-songwriter and artist, who would have turned 63 this year.

Johnston, renowned for his self-released music cassettes and comic-book drawings, gained cult popularity and was endorsed by numerous music celebrities, including Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, who famously wore Johnston’s “Hi, How Are You” T-shirt, featuring his iconic artwork “Jeremiah the Innocent.” Johnston also performed with David Bowie and received support from Tom Waits, Sonic Youth, and Sparklehorse, among others.

His artworks have been highly respected, selected for inclusion in the 2006 Whitney Biennial, exhibited in museums, and collected worldwide. The exhibition will feature a combination of the best drawings from two recent national exhibitions of Johnston’s works, I Am A Baby in My Universe and Duck Wars, showcasing his unique characters, dialogue bubbles, and insightful philosophy.

Opening Weekend Activities:

– Special T-shirts, posters, CDs, and books will be available throughout the exhibition.

– The exhibition is in conjunction with OUTPOST NYC DCG, a virtual arts initiative that collaborates with the art estate of Daniel Johnston through his sister, Marjory Johnston. 

– Marjory Johnston will attend activities during the opening weekend, available for questions and to provide information about her brother.

– Deborah Colton, Co-Founder of OUTPOST NYC DCG, will also attend.

Johnston’s characters, especially his ever-present ducks, embody his fun-loving, adventurous spirit and his desire to help the world by challenging the forces of evil. These ducks appear in various forms, from cowboys and ancient warriors to superheroes and space travelers. Notably, the ducks as military personnel reflect Johnston’s admiration for his father, William Johnston, a Flying Tiger pilot in World War II.

The Duck Wars exhibition highlights the military adventures of Johnston’s ducks and resonates with current world events. With quirky humor and thought-provoking insights into the nature of war, Johnston’s drawings address its horrors, origins in greed, and its damage to humanity.

Johnston’s work continues to captivate with its childlike wisdom, winning fans and followers globally. His influence extended to popular culture, featuring in The Cutting Edge MTV special about the Austin music scene and attracting the attention of Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons, who invited Johnston to perform at his parties in California.

Join us at Parlor Gallery for a heartfelt celebration of Daniel Johnston’s extraordinary artistry and enduring legacy.

Parlor Gallery, located in the heart of Asbury Park’s vibrant “Arts Bloc,” is dedicated to showcasing contemporary art from emerging and established artists. Since its inception, Parlor Gallery has become a cornerstone of the local art scene, providing a platform for artists to present innovative and thought-provoking works. The gallery’s commitment to fostering creativity and artistic expression has made it a beloved destination for art enthusiasts and collectors alike. With a diverse roster of exhibitions and events, Parlor Gallery continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art, inviting visitors to explore new perspectives and engage with the art community.

Artist and songwriter Daniel Johnston created his own imaginary cartoon universe in drawings, which were complete with dialog bubbles and his own uniquely honest and insightful philosophy. Among his cast of created characters are the ever-present ducks. They are the fun-loving good guys who are on the look-out for adventure and ways to help the world. They are always ready to help humanity by challenging the forces of evil and thus protecting love, peace, and especially hope.

The ducks in Johnston’s earliest drawings had wings and webbed feet. As he created more adventures for the ducks they evolved human-like arms and legs. The ducks found their way into Johnston’s drawings as cowboys, ancient warriors, superheroes and even space travelers. The role that was Johnston’s favorite (by far) was ducks as military personnel, complete with uniforms, weapons, and war vehicles of all types. Johnston’s love of all things related to World War II reflects his admiration for his father, William Johnston, who was a Flying Tiger pilot in the war.

The ” Ducks Wars” exhibit is a celebration of the military adventures of the ducks, but it also rings with uncanny relevance considering current world events. Daniel infuses the drawings with quirky humor, but also with thought provoking insights into the nature of war…. its horror, its origins in greed, and its sad results.

Visit Deborah Colton Gallery – Duck Wars to see more works.