Influenced by the work of artists as diverse as Matthias Grunewald (16th century), the Cubist Marcel Duchamp and Pablo Picasso, Johns' diversity of techniques and styles, his exploration of the problems of art-making and his rejection of the "purity" of Abstract Expressionist painting moved him towards Conceptual and Minimal art. His breakthrough 1954-55 painting Flag instigated a series of paintings of the American flag and of "targets" that stunned the art world. He gained immediate acclaim with these works, being the first of a series of paintings that elevated commonplace objects to the status of art. Born in South Carolina during the American Depression, his interest in art led him to New York in the early 1950's where he worked as a commercial artist. His prolific output over the past five decades have included explorations into vastly diverse motifs such as altered formats using screenprints, photo reproductions and neon, to "cross-hatch" pattern painting, to three-dimensional objects and literal depictions of planks, faucets, clothing and ceramics. His work has been exhibited worldwide, notably at the Musee National d'Art Moderne, Paris, Hayward Gallery, London and Seibu Museum of Art, Tokyo, The Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum in New York. In 1988 he was awarded one of the art world's highest accolades, the prestigious Grand Prix at the Venice Biennale.
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