Design with purpose
Over the past few years, I’ve experimented with ways to bring conceptual aspects of my artwork into items that can be worn, carried and shared.
This has led to developing designs that can be editioned by hand or with the help of other small businesses, providing an outlet for gifting, giving and generating fundraising opportunities for organizations I believe in.
Pillars of Democracy
Pillars of Democracy is a four part series of portraits that foreground the role of women in the democratic process, the struggle inherent in progress and the role of art in advancing movements of change.
The figures of Liberty, Justice, Freedom and Forward feature the portraits of four first-time voters from Wisconsin. Built from discarded stencil paper and leftover spray paint from Shepard Fairey’s 2020 installation of the Voting Rights Are Human Rights mural in downtown Milwaukee and formatted from the composition of Bertha Boyd’s 1911 suffrage poster Votes for Women, this series engages dialogue between contemporary protest, suffrage-era design and the enduring power of the vote. Eight Milwaukee artists contributed to this project as did nearly 70 volunteers.
At its core, Pillars of Democracy declares that democracy is not abstract—it’s built, sustained and strengthened by each of us, right where we live. It lives in the choices we make and the values we uphold.
We rise
We Rise was created on the eve of the first Women’s March, and has traveled with me on a national fundraising tour with Planned Parenthood. The central image in all We Rise merchandise features Hills & Valleys- a large sculpture I built out of aluminum signage from five shuttered Planned Parenthood healthcare centers in Wisconsin.
Since it’s release in 2017, a percent of profits from all We Rise merchandise has been donated to Planned Parenthood, NARAL Pro-Choice America and the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project.
women’s work
Each piece in the Women’s Work jewelry line blends historic quilt patterns, etched mirror and sterling silver to create wearable pieces, which reflect the power of women’s ingenuity and political investment - then and now.
Pattern are chosen for their expressive original titles and visual strength when translated from cloth to the surface of mirrored glass.
Each pattern is available in earrings, necklaces and pins. All are handmade to order. Allow 2-3 for delivery.
Questions about fine art
If you would like to know more about artwork and prices on nikijohnson.com, please email: info@nikijohnsonstudio.com