Painter Johnson Simon’s art encompasses the beauty of movement and gives him an outlet to move as freely as he desires through his work. Born in Turks and Caicos, Johnson came to the United States as a child and grew up in Florida. Johnson was diagnosed at birth with Cerebral Palsy, a disorder that affects one’s ability to control the body’s movement. He was introduced to art in 1st grade through physical therapy, as a way for him to practice new movements and exercise his creativity. This birthed a love for art that spanned throughout his childhood. He graduated with honors from WMU and went on to receive his Master of Fine Arts in Painting from Indiana University. Since then, Johnson has been a teaching artist at a community organization for those with physical and developmental disabilities all while launching his own art career. He hopes his work will show others how they too can express their movement despite physical limitations. Johnson dreams of creating a successful career in art while advocating for others with disabilities.

“As someone with a physical limitation, I have always been interested in body movement, but it was a dance recital at undergrad that inspired me to create my first dance-focused expressionistic painting. When I paint, I can move freely.”