Johnson and Ward’s collaborative practice is based on their mutual enthusiasm for meticulously constructed fictional realities. For several years, Jess’s hand-drawn compositions have documented an arcane, alien realm, weaving together holographic meshworks of grids, brickwork, architectural monuments, humanoid clones, and messianic figures. Simon’s background as an animator and video director inspired him to approach Jess in 2013 to suggest expanding her drawings into animated media.

Their resultant collaborations translate her drawings into video and virtual reality, giving audiences the simulated experience of entering the hypnotic realms depicted in Jess’s drawings. Their works are often displayed within constructed environments that act as physical portals into their speculative worlds.

Johnson and Ward’s work has been exhibited internationally at Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne (2019-2020), Art Basel, Hong Kong (2016); Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh (2016); Centre Clarke, Montreal (2017); Toronto International Film Festival (2017); Hubei Museum of Art, China (2017); National Gallery of Australia (2018); Auckland Art Gallery, New Zealand (2018); Jack Hanley Gallery, New York (2019); and Nanzuka Gallery, Tokyo (2019).

Jess Johnson is represented by Jack Hanley Gallery, New York, USA; Darren Knight Gallery, Sydney, Australia; and Ivan Anthony Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand.