THE BOND OF INSPIRATION
An exhibition of works by
India Blake Johnson and Seward Johnson

January 17 through March 30, 2023
Opening Reception: Thursday, February 9 (snow date Friday, February 10)
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

The Silva Gallery is proud to host the inaugural event of a year-long celebration of the life of J. Seward Johnson II, sponsored by the Johnson Atelier and the Hopewell Valley Arts Council. 

In 2020, the world lost J. Seward Johnson II. A resident of Hopewell Valley and the son of Robert Wood Johnson (co-founder of Johnson & Johnson), Seward Johnson II was an artist who worked in many artistic disciplines and was regarded as an internationally renowned sculptor. He was a mentor to many local artists and the founder of Grounds For Sculpture and The Seward Johnson Atelier (TSJA) in Hamilton, NJ.

Prior to gaining recognition as a sculptor, Seward Johnson was a painter who worked primarily on canvas with acrylics. As his career as a sculptor flourished, his painting projects subsided except for one unique format: painted trays. Johnson collected trays from antique shows to use as canvases for his homey, intimate scenes.

In 2017, Seward’s passion for painting trays accelerated after an exhibition with his daughter, India Blake Johnson, in Rome. Johnson was so inspired by her work that he explored the inspiration of her lens and reimagined her photographs as a continuation of his Midnight Snack Art. At that time, Johnson expressed a deep desire to see his works exhibited together again with those of India, highlighting the bond between father and daughter as artists.

Click here for more information about the Seward Johnson: Celebrating the Everyday programs and activities throughout 2023.

---

Visiting the Silva Gallery:

Appointments can be made via 609–737–4133 or silvagallery@pennington.org.

Appointments are available Tuesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Accommodations can be made for groups of 6 or more on Tuesday evenings (6:00-8:00 p.m.) and Saturday afternoons (12:00-2:00 p.m.).

48 hours of advanced notification is required for appointments as all visitors will need to be placed on our visitor log.

The Silva Gallery is ADA accessible.

Parking: Enter the campus of The Pennington School at the main entrance off of West Delaware Avenue between the two brick pillars. Proceed to the T and turn right, and you will see four visitor spots on the left. If visitor spots are filled, please park in any open spot not marked Admission. 

Please note, from Tuesday, February 7 through February 10, the main entrance to the School on West Delaware Avenue will be closed. Please use the Wesley Drive entrance (on W. Delaware right before the railroad bridge) or the entrance off of Burd Street between W. Delaware Ave. and Academy Avenue.