Johnny Karwan

Whisper an Answer, Abstract Painting

2024

Artist Comments
Black, gray, and violet pieces of recycled plastic bags overlap to create an abstract composition. Artist Johnny Karwan heat-infused the material onto a Baltic birch, sealing it with a flat varnish for a luxe finish. Departing from the vibrant palettes normally seen in his other works, this artwork feels quieter, like a whisper.

About the Artist
Artist Johnny Karwan heat-fuses recycled plastic bags and vinyl to create modern abstracts with a translucent quality from the materials he uses. “I find inspiration in the creative potential of everyday disposables, transforming discarded plastic bags into elevated works of art,” says Johnny. He spent years traveling as a background painting teacher for animation before transitioning to creating murals, sculptures, and designs for brands and architects worldwide. His studio, located in the front half of his 1904 Edwardian flat in San Francisco's historic Haight-Ashbury, is complemented by a workshop for wood cutouts and assemblages. When he’s not creating, Johnny enjoys hiking in nature, exploring cities and galleries, and indulging in world travel and road trips.

Words that describe this painting: plastic, recycled, shopping bags, panoramic, muted, abstract, mixed media artwork, grey

Whisper an Answer
Johnny Karwan
Recycled plastic bags on cradled wood panel
Painting wraps around edges
Varnished and Ready to hang
One-of-a-kind
Signed on back
2024
24 in. h x 48 in. w x 1.5 in. d
8 lbs. 0 oz.