Fine Art Photographs by Johnny Tang

Walking Narcissist - A man in a dark suit walking in the street, with a line of men in white suits reflected in a window, walking in the opposite direction.

Walking Narcissist

Walking Narcissist Walking Narcissist is about the process of introspection, of questioning who we are and who we want to be. Like my Narcissus before it, this image directly deals with what is perhaps the primary theme of World of One, how our identities are constructed.   Production Notes The composition and placement in of the figures in Walking Narcissist, combines themes from my previous works Reflection, and Diligentia II. Reflection was the first W.O.1 image I shot on film, but I was never happy with the way it came out (which is why I hardly ever show it). I thought the …

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Silent Scream - A women dressed in black screaming, with a group of the same women dressed in white sitting gesturing for her silence.

Silent Scream

Silent Scream Silent Scream is the product of a collaboration with NYC based Hip Hop dancer/choreographer/actress Mayo Kinoshita. Mayo has a dizzying array of skills, and I felt really lucky to have her pose for my camera. Originally I had a more static and somber image in mind. However, once we started shooting, I was blown away by Mayo’s more dynamic take on the subject. This resulted in a much more fluid image, which I find easier on the eyes and more enjoyable to study in detail.   Artist Notes Silent Scream is about how we use seductive lies to …

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World of One: Migrant Shores - white figure lying down by a seascape, black figures around him taking pictures.

World of One: Migrant Shores

Migrant Shores 2016 Giclée Image size (HxW): 24” x 47” inches | Paper Size (HxW): 30” x 53” | Edition of 5 Shoot Notes I was visiting family in Taiwan and Hainan this summer, where I also managed to shoot two World of One pictures. Migrant Shores was taken in Sanya, a popular beach and resort destination on tropical island of Hainan, China. Physically, I think this was one of the most difficult shots I endured so far. The heat and humidity of the tropical island climate turned any sort of outdoor activity into a workout. Hell, I’d start sweating …

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World of One: Fearful Courage

World of One: Fearful Courage

Fearful Courage 2016 Archival Pigment Print 24″ x 41″ inches | edition of 5 General Comments I shot Fearful Courage in November of 2014, but due to a lack of funding I was unable to develop this piece until recently. That said, I’m relieved to see that it actually came out ok! In the words of an old photographer I once worked for “It feels like taking a shit you’ve been holding in for months!” Procrastination aside, I’m also pleased to finish this image in time for an autumn release! It’s a dream of mine to make a World of …

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Christian Science Center, Boston MA

Why Your Background Matters, In Art and In Life

I recently returned from a trip to Taiwan and Hainan, where I was shooting work and visiting family. As I was searching for places to serve as the background in my photos, I also thought about how my search was symbolic of my trip as a whole. Choosing a good background is a photographic skill, which is why professional photographers often bring their own. A good background can complement the subject being photographed, while a bad one can be distracting. A photobomb for example, makes for a distracting background. As the whole point of the activity is to take attention …

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Instillation shot of BBoy Monsters at Reedspace

Show Report: BBoy Monsters at Reedspace

  I’ve always dreamed of having a solo show in Manhattan. So to see my BBoy Monsters work up at Reedspace, a venue some of my heroes (such as Phunk Studio, whose work inspired my World of One series) have shown in, this was dream come true!!! I was much more involved with the organization of this exhibition than normal. So it really felt like it was brought to life through pure willpower. The majority of shows I participate in, all I’m really expected to do is deliver the art on time. This show however, not only did I make …

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BBoy Monsters - Mike Fresh, Explorer. BBoy Mike fresh posing on the sidewalk in dumbo.

BBoy Monster – Mike Fresh

BBoy Monster – Mike Fresh, Sumo Stance 2016 Archival Pigment Print 24″ x 17″ inches | edition of 10 In preparation for my upcoming BBoy Monsters show next Saturday, May 14 @Reed Space in New York’s LES. I have been adding local NYC BBoys to my existing stable of BBoy Monsters. Today I unveil my latest collaboration, with BBoy Mike Fresh of Supreme Beings Crew!!!  Mike Fresh is a fitness instructor, as well as a fierce BBoy with a powerful athletic style. Here I tried to capture the dynamics of his style by stepping back with the camera a bit, and …

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Showcard for BBoy Monsters at Reed Space, by Johnny Tang.

BBoy Monsters at Reed Space!!!

  Hope to see you there!!!   Thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign, I am honored to cordially invite you to the opening of BBoy Monsters my first NYC solo exhibition!!!! Come out for an evening of art and dancing!! Photographs will be on display till May 31st, hope you can make it!!! BBoy Monsters @Reed Space May 14 – 31, 2016 151 Orchard St. New York, NY 10002 Artist Reception: May 14 4-7:00PM Sign up for my Secret Society and never miss a post! Just hit SUBSCRIBE over in the top right for details!!! Please support this work by …

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Popping Monster - Sun Kim, Buddha's Slap. Sun Kim tutting in DUMBO Brooklyn with 5 arms.

Popping Monster – Sun Kim

Popping Monster – Sun Kim, Buddha’s Slap 2016 Archival Pigment Print 24″ x 17″ inches | edition of 10 Allow me to introduce the latest addition to my Monsters series: Popping Monster – Sun Kim!!! Sun is not only a talented dancer with legendary popping skills, but also a dance instructor, and a choreographer! Not content with conquering events such as: Step Ya Game Up 2014, Book of styles 2014, and Immortal Street Dance battle 2013. Sun has also appeared in commercials, music videos, and has even taught a Popping workshop at Princeton University. Sun is currently preparing for Who You Are, an innovative and experimental …

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Popping Monster - Sun Buddha's Box. Sun Kim posing in DUMBO Brooklyn , tutting with 6 arms.

Published in Daily Mail Online Today!!!!

From my latest set of Popping Monsters – Sun, Buddha’s Box (more to come soon!) My BBoy Monsters were published in the Daily Mail UK this morning! The headline reads “How many arms and legs? Break dancers are turned into Buddhas for bizarre photography project” I guess it makes sense that this work ended up in a tabloid newspaper. But with a circulation of over 1,700,000 I’m not going to complain! With 6 days left to my indiegogo campaign, more exposure for this work is exactly what I need!!! Thank you to all my fans, contributors and collectors! Your continued …

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