Esther Johnson is an artist, filmmaker and photographer who creates work that takes a poetic approach to documentary and narrative, through film, video, audio, photography, installations and writing. Work is made for exhibition and cinema screening through individual projects, commissions and residencies. Johnson's award-winning films and photography have exhibited globally in film festivals, galleries and cinemas in around 30 countries, including the London Film Festival; Raindance Film Festival, London; MadCat Film Festival, San Francisco; NASA, USA; Science Museum, Tate Britain, Tate Modern & ICA, London; Cornerhouse, Manchester; Site Gallery, Sheffield; FACT, Liverpool; Sotherby's, New York; Istanbul Biennial; Toronto Fashion Week and the Museu de Arte Moderna, Rio de Janeiro. Her work has appeared on television, and in adapted versions for radio, and her writing has featured in arts publications. Support for her work includes: Arts Council England; BBC; The British Council; LAFVA; Film London; Lottery; the National Endowment for the Arts; Skillset and Yorkshire Arts. In addition to her film and photographic work, Johnson curates film programmes, and is a Senior Lecturer in Film and Media at Sheffield Hallam University. She is former Director and Curator of Hull Film and its Hull International Short Film Festival.
Johnson is fascinated by extraordinary aspects of the commonplace. Areas from everyday life are researched in the pursuit of revealing resonant stories of subjects that may otherwise remain hidden or ignored – particularly the idea of the 'underdog' in contemporary culture. Recurring themes include personal histories, heritage, tradition, folklore, architectural vernacular and the relationship between her protagonists and their respective surroundings. Research and projects are presented within poignant filmic and photographic portraits.
HINTERLAND (2002) portrays a community living (literally) on the edge of Europe's fastest-eroding coastline. The plight of an historic East Yorkshire market is documented in A STREET NAMED HUMBER (2004). LENOX (also 2004) maps the psychogeography of one of Buffalo's oldest hotels, juxtaposing faded Art Deco with shabby retro Americana. PLAYBACK (2005) comprises an unique twenty-four-hour time-lapse through 360º of Sheffield landscape. TUNE IN (2006) reveals the fascinating, hidden world of Radio HAM operators and their overlooked but vital place in society. CELESTIAL (2007) draws upon a fascination with the vast canvas of the sky. YALDA (2007) is a dramatic and colourful journey into the narrative of a woman's tangled past. HIGHWAY HOME (2008) is a contemplative, static study of an unlikely landmark in an unlikely place. ELEVATION (2009) is an unique portrait of Park Hill estate, Europe's largest listed building, created during an eclipse period between clearance and reinvention. CLOSE UP (2010) an 18 x 25 metre photographic mosaic artwork, which includes around 2000 images of portraits of 500 Sheffield school children, commissioned by Sheffield Children's Festiva.
Johnson is currently working on several commissions including a project shot in Japan, a film/audio installation for the Cut and Splice festival and film and sound works for EXHIBIT gallery, London.
Esther was nominated for the UK Northern Art Prize 2008.
