Ben Johnston: Wordplay

Opening night reception March 23rd from 6 pm – 8 pm
On view at Taglialatella Galleries Toronto
March 23 – April 10, 2023

Taglialatella Galleries Toronto announce the presentation of a new solo exhibition titled Wordplay by the award-winning artist and designer Ben Johnston opening March 23rd. The free opening night public reception will be held at 99 Yorkville avenue from 6pm – 8pm. Johnston is a Toronto-based artist who has become internationally recognized in both the art and graphic design communities for his signature style of three dimensional word art that pops off surfaces.

With his new exhibition Wordplay, Johnston expands on the signature motifs he established with his street art practice, further uncovering the emotive potential of typography. Comprised from six new visually innovative sculptures of thought-provoking phrases, and ten new canvas paintings of single words, this rich body of work is an evolution of the game of decoding that Johnston plays with his viewer. Compositionally complex, a longer observation of each piece is required to reveal the words of significance in the combination of letterforms. These artworks challenge traditional notions of legibility and readability, instead using text as a visual element in its own right. Rendered in soft gradients, hard edges, and playful perspective, these positive affirmations offer a unique meaning to every individual who sets their eyes upon them; what might Hope, Love, or Someday mean to you?

Bursting onto the street art scene in the 2010’s with his trademark mind-bending typography-based murals, Johnston’s work is immediately accessible no matter what language he paints. From Queen West to Yorkville, Johnston’s work can be found in every corner of Toronto, and also around the globe. His designs have been commissioned by Nike, the AGO, Lululemon, Ford, Aston Martin and Adobe among others.

The exhibition will open March 23rd and will be on display through April 10th. Taglialatella Gallery is located at 99 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1C1.

About Ben Johnston
Renowned for his bold, text-based murals and fine art pieces, Ben Johnston is a multi-disciplinary creative who fearlessly pushes the boundaries of artistic expression. His work, both visually striking and conceptually provocative, challenges traditional notions of the relationship between language and image, inviting viewers to engage with the complexities of the contemporary world in new and exciting ways. With a keen eye for composition and an unwavering commitment to their craft, Ben is a true innovator, constantly evolving and reinventing his artistic practice to produce works that are as intellectually stimulating as they are visually captivating.

Raised in South Africa, the now Toronto-based creative has been the recipient of numerous awards recognizing both art and design. His large-scale murals have been commissioned by NGOs as well as corporate clients and can be found across the globe in places like San Francisco, Serbia, Hawaii, and India to name a few. Notable brand collaborations include Nike, Canada Goose, Jeep, Lululemon, and more.

www.benjohnston.ca | Instagram @ben_johnston

About Taglialatella Galleries Toronto
Over forty years Taglialatella Galleries have been synonymous with Modern and Contemporary art, offering expertise in a range of genres while specializing in Pop and Urban art. After launching successful locations in New York, Paris, and Palm Beach, the first Canadian gallery opened its doors in Toronto in July 2018. Directed by Managing Partner Alan Ganev, the new location is situated in the prestigious neighbourhood of Yorkville, and has been focusing on presenting an exciting art program that showcases young Canadian artists alongside exquisite examples of blue-chip art.

www.tagto.ca | Instagram @taglialatellatoronto

Photo credits: Anthony Tuccitto @badreggae

Media Contact
Deanne Moser
(647) 888-9388
deanne@dmpublic.com