Tim Johnson

not titled (Bands series) [framed], 1979

The National Gallery of Australia holds a collection of prints using the same stencils, acquired in 1989

Post-conceptual fan-art, Tim Johnson’s Bands series are painterly and un-repeatable screenprints, making each impression functionally a unique state. From left to right, this screenprint features illustrious Australian musicians: The Saints (Brisbane), Pip Hoyle from Radio Birdman (Sydney), two members of Filth (Sydney), and Thought Criminals (Sydney).  (Thanks to Chris McAuliffe for the identification of bands).

"In a concentrated series of works made between 1979 and 1983, Johnson depicted Australian, English and American punk musicians and fans, using his own photographs or pictures from the music press. In numerous images, ranging from small screenprints to large canvases, iconic bands—Sex Pistols, Radio Birdman and The Saints—rubbed shoulders with more obscure acts—Electric Fanz, Thought Criminals, Filth, Psychosurgeons—and legendary ‘faces’ of the London punk scene."

- Chris McAuliffe, ‘Disturbing the edges of what we call art: Tim Johnson and punk’, in Tim Johnson: Painting ideas, Queensland Art Gallery/Art Gallery of NSW, 2009, pp 20-27.