Jill Johnston

Author and Critic May 17, 1929 - September 18, 2010

Jasper Johns Published by Thames & Hudson New York NY 1996

In 1989 Johns committed himself to tracing an image of unmistakable human and animal features, blatantly both an explicit and mysterious figure, whose identity this time he was determined to keep a secret. Its very purpose appeared to be to tell his curious public off. Commenting with conspicuous sophistry on his new dialectical venture, he said, From my point of view, my perception is altered by knowing what it is, even though what it is is not what interests me. . . . So when I made this picture I decided I wasnt going to say what it was. Its hard to understand how an image that has altered his perception by his knowledge of it is not of interest to him for what it isconsidering how it altered his perception. Easier to understand is his desire to exclude his public. His perception is altered by knowing what it is; he doesnt care about ourswhether, in this case, we have one or not: I decided I wasnt going to say what it was. In his paranoia, Johns has emphasized the importance of the figures identities himself, and seemingly underestimated the sophistication of his viewers, who at best should be capable of appreciating both form and content, of embracing this classical duality in art, and who would not even begin to care about the figures if they were not so aesthetically clothed. Beauty, as a means and not an end, is what makes the content of art powerful to the beholder.

Chapter VII; Loves Body: The Figure in the Canvas

Art in America

Jill Johnston has added significantly to our knowledge of the painters life and the obvious references to it in his work. . . . Her book is often engaging and provocative in the best sense. Psychologically oriented, Privileged Information grew out of Johnstons highly influential 1987 review of Johnss Four Seasons paintings.

Charles Stuckey

The New York Times Book Review

Whether or not you agree with Ms. Johnstons more outr suppositions, you have to acknowledge her intense research and her relentless scrutiny of Mr. Johnss work. She is also very good at analyzing Mr. Johnss contemporaries and his relationships with them.

Grace Glueck

Washington Post Book World

[Johnston] has produced an impressive critical biography that broadens the readers understanding of the artists life and work. . . . For those interested in Johnss work . . . this book is enormously intriguing.

Ellen Edwards

Kirkus

Johnstons writing is engrossing, and this is a rich, provocative, satisfying book, filled with gorgeous descriptions of paintings and offering a fascinating dissection of the art scene, as well as a subtle portrait of one of its most elusive stars.

Publishers Weekly

Her thesis is intriguing, and her analyses of Johnss paintings insightful.

Booklist

Johnston believes that understanding the life of an artist enhances appreciation of their work, and her synthesis of biography and criticism in this sensitive reading of the enigmatic Johns proves her point. . . . Johnstons analysis is insightful, meticulous, and illuminating.

ChozenBooks, IOBA

Critics until now have been primarily concerned with Johnss formal strategies, seeing the autobiographical elements in his work as privileged information, inappropriate for critical comment. But Johnstons achievement is to put this unexpected dimension of intimate information squarely at the center of his work. Readers of her brilliantly original account will come away with a larger, more resonant sense of Johnss art.

Magill Book Reviews for EBSCO Publishing

In her book on Jasper Johns, Jill Johnston combines a superb background in art history with a penetrating understanding of the artists psychology. As Dr. Samuel Johnson said, the biographers first obligation is to the truth. Of course, the biographer must be tactful and subtlequalities that Johnston exhibits on every page of her fine book.

Carl Rollyson

Editorial Review, amazon.com

. . . Critic Jill Johnston has taken on the task of exploring the life and work of Jasper Johns
that most private of contemporary artistsand has succeeded brilliantly. . . . Johnstons
critical eye is unwavering, her ability to delineate political and social contexts is
unnervingly on-target. . . . 'Jasper Johns: Privileged Information' is a fine, intelligent work of biography and criticism.

Alibris.com

In a remarkable fusion of criticism and biography, author/critic Jill Johnston illuminates the life and work of Americas preeminent living artist, Jasper Johns, responsible for the highly acclaimed The Seasons.

Booklist

Johnstons analysis is meticulous and illuminating.

An Informal Get-together
May 17, 2011
from 5:30 to 8:30 PM

Emily Harvey Foundation
537 Broadway, New York NY
At 7 pm Ingrid will read
a letter from Jill's unfinished book:
Letters to the Living and the Dead:
An Epistolary Memoir
Refreshments will be served

Deep Listening Institute's

Tribute to Jill Johnston

Deep Listening Space
77 Cornell Street, Suite 303
Kingston, NY 12401

This event can be viewed live
by a donation of $25 to benefit
The Jill Johnston Literary Archive
Upon your donation, you will be
redirected to a page with
information on how
to view our event.
Donate HERE.

Memorial for Jill Johnston Saturday, January 29, 2011 from 1 to 5 PM Judson Memorial Church 55 Washington Sq. South New York NY
England's Child
$27.95

Appendix 2 of EC is

a list of carillons by G&J/

Cyril F. Johnston.