Ritual of Welcome is Devin B. Johnson’s fifth solo exhibition with Nicodim and his third in the Los Angeles gallery, and represents a focused thrust forward in his nascent, yet noteworthy career. This body of work is comprised of eight figurative paintings, five abstract, and four works on paper, each of which pieces together the nuggets of wisdom, experiences, and knowledge gleaned throughout his journey. Each piece is an incantation of the artist’s visual vocabulary, reconfiguring the familiar into welcoming rituals of discovery and acceptance.
What does legacy mean to you?," Johnson says. "I think about grabbing nuggets from the past. Legacy is about building upon the past, learning from it, and using those symbols to create a better future. It's about taking the nuggets of wisdom, experiences, and knowledge from previous generations or moments in time and using them to drive innovation, progress, and growth. The use of cars and old model cars in my work gives shape to a driving forward."
