Publications

Spiritual Journeying: The Art of Tim Johnson

“Highly Commended” in the 2020 Best Book Prize category, Art Writing and Publishing Awards (AWAPA) held by the Art Association of Australia and New Zealand (AAANZ) http://aaanz.info/prizes/2020-prizes-2020-awapas-research-in-focus-research-grants/

From the judges:

“A meticulous historical account of Tim Johnson’s art theory and practice, with particular focus on clarifying his intellectual approach to both exploring and representing the spiritual throughout his career. While the artist is a major source for the author and his experiences with the visual dimensions of several religions are densely recounted, the author has sought to establish an independent critical position. The accumulative nature of Johnson’s approach to painting has required assiduous tracing of sources by the author. Given the broad scope of Johnson’s appropriation, the cultural sensitivities triggered by his collaborative engagement with Aboriginal, Asian and Native American artists require and are given transparent investigation and evaluation.”

“The design and production values are high throughout. A superbly presented study of the artist’s work.”

Authored Books

2019

Leslie, Donna, Spiritual Journeying: The Art of Tim Johnson. (North Melbourne, Vic.: Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2019). Preface x-xii, Introduction xiii-xvii, 361 pages. (361 + 3 + 5 = 369 pages in total). 177 illustrations (colour). Paperback. Height by width: 29 cm x 23.5 x 2.5 cm. ISBN: 9781925984033; ISBN-10: 1925984036. https://scholarly.info/book/spiritual-journeying-the-art-of-tim-johnson/

As a young Australian artist, Tim Johnson sought to look beyond the world he knew and was familiar with into mysteries that naturally come with things foreign. He wanted to explore what it was like to exist beyond the margins of his known world and to reach into alternative spaces that interested him. This book documents his spiritual journeying and creative explorations. In 1980, Johnson’s encounter with Aboriginal artists in the deserts of central Australia revolutionised his entire approach to art and life. In 1982, when he learned of the existence of the ancient medieval Buddhist cave temples of Mogao at Dunhuang in Western China, the experience also set his imagination aflame. The caves were an inspirational oasis of spirituality on the Silk Road and another powerful artistic expression in desert country. These two spiritual and artistic traditions inspired the path Johnson was to take over the next four decades. Over time his work expanded to include references to Japanese, Tibetan, Native American and a range of other sources and influences. Today, as a veteran artist, he has created an imagined universe abundantly informed by influences and ideas.

2008

Leslie, Donna, Aboriginal Art: Creativity and Assimilation (South Yarra, Vic.: Macmillan Art Publishing). 319 pages, hardback, col. Ill; ISBN-13: 9781921394003.

Aboriginal Art: Creativity and Assimilation explores Aboriginal art in relation to the effects of the policy of assimilation. The text, accompanied by an impressive catalogue and illustrations, reveals an extensive grasp of issues relating not only to the practice and history of art but also in the fields of anthropology, ethnology and sociology. This book is a reaffirmation of Aboriginal cultural heritage which addresses the development of Aboriginal art and the ways in which we might come to better know and understand it.

Journal Articles

2024

Leslie, Donna, “Indigenising the Archibald: Portraits of Aboriginal people in the Archibald Prize”. Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues, vol. 27, nos. 1-2, pp. 3-16.

2022

Leslie, Donna, “Aboriginal Women's Portraiture: Margaret Olley and Julie Dowling”. Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues, vol. 25, nos. 3-4, pp. 58-70.

2020

Leslie, Donna, “Margaret Olley’s Radical Vision: Painting Aboriginal Women in the 1960s”. Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues, vol. 23, nos. 3-4, pp. 31-47.

2020

Leslie, Donna, “Imaging Aboriginal Women in Australian Art and Portraiture 1788–1960”. Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues, vol. 23, nos. 1-3, pp. 42-62.

2019

Leslie, Donna, “The Crucible and Australian Aboriginal Art as an Expression of Cultural Leadership”. WINHEC: International Journal of Indigenous Education Scholarship, Issue 1, November, pp. 1-22.