COMMODE




Paul Johns
b. Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
Lives and works in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Diploma of Fine Arts, University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts, 1974

Works and acquisition enquiries


Selected public collections

Te Pātaka Toi Adam Art Gallery, Te Herenga Waka
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui
The Dowse Art Museum
Ashburton Art Gallery
Forrester Gallery
Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa


Selected exhibitions

2026
40 Years of Homosexual Law Reform, Cocker & Son, Auckland
Living Archives, Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch. Curated by Melanie Oliver
Checkmate, COMMODE, Wellington. Curated by DJCS

2024–2025
Beautiful Flowers and How to Grow Them, The Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt. Curated by DJCS

2023
Perilous, Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch. Curated by Melanie Oliver
Midnight Cowboy, Pah Homestead, Auckland

2022
Group Exhibition, Olga Gallery, Dunedin. Curated by Robyn Pickens

2021–22
Listening Stones Jumping Rocks, Adam Art Gallery, Victoria University, Wellington. Curated by Susan Ballard and Sophie Thorn

2021
Paul Johns / Billy Apple, Nadene Milne Gallery, Christchurch
Been Her Long?, Visions, Auckland. Curated by Francis McWhannell

2018
Look at the Crowd in Swimming, University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts Gallery, Christchurch
Look at the Crowd in Swimming, Nadene Milne Gallery, Christchurch

2017
PRIDE 2017, Michael Lett with Artspace Aotearoa, Auckland
It Is, Glamuzina Architects, Auckland

2016
Defend International Law: Whaling – Sth. Pacific Sanctuary, public street poster, Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin
The Bill, Artspace Aotearoa with Starkwhite and Michael Lett, in association with Fiona Clark’s Fantastic Carmen, Auckland. Curated by Misal Adnan Yildiz.

2015
Re-Reading the Rainbow, RM Gallery, Auckland

2014–15
South Pacific Sanctuary / Peraki, Banks Peninsula

2014
Christchurch Likes to Call Itself “Most English City”, McNamara Gallery, Whanganui

2013
All There Is Left, Adam Art Gallery, Victoria University, Wellington. Curated by Christina Barton, Michelle Menzies and Laura Preston
Scatters Hot, Redcliffs, Christchurch

2012
Running on Peebles, Snakepit, Auckland. Curated by Allan Smith
Now and Then: Enduring and Developing Themes in Contemporary New Zealand Photography, Te Manawa Art, Palmerston North

2011
Animal Spirits, Sugar Cube Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden. Curated by Amanda Newall and Simon Lawrence
Anti-Whaling A1 Poster, Christchurch
Post-Earthquake Group Exhibition, Oxford, Canterbury. Curated by Phillip Trustum
The Art Event, Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch. Curated by Grant Banbury

2010
Brought to Light, Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch
KIN, New Zealand Portrait Gallery, Wellington
Hands Across the Sea, The Physics Room, Christchurch. Curated by Kate Montgomery

2009–10
Brought to Light, Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch
The Naked and the Nude, Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch. Curated by Justin Paton

2009
Dear Paul, The Physics Room, Christchurch
Paul Johns, McNamara Gallery, Whanganui
Sweat Shop, Marsupial, Christchurch
If Only, Newcall Gallery, Auckland. Curated by Hamish Win
Recent Work by Ten NZ Photographers, Tauranga Art Gallery, Tauranga
A Tradition of Immediacy, Observatory Art Room, The Arts Centre, Christchurch. Curated by Clare Noonan

2008
Back to Front, 64zero3, Christchurch
BOARD 2008, CoCA, Christchurch
All Is Well, 64zero3, Christchurch
SCAPE, Christchurch
Group Show, 64zero3, Christchurch. Curated by Robyn Pickens

2007
PROSPECT 2007, Wellington City Art Gallery, Wellington
Jerusalem, Sarjeant Art Gallery, Whanganui. Curated by Peter Ireland
Tylee Cottage 25 Years Anniversary, Sarjeant Art Gallery, Whanganui
Ficciones, 64zero3, Christchurch. Curated by Andrew Wood
Connections, NG Gallery, Christchurch
The Art Event, Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch
School of Fine Arts 125 Years Anniversary, Christchurch
HOT, 64zero3, Christchurch

2006
Post-Tylee Residency Work, Sarjeant Art Gallery, Whanganui
Paul Johns, McNamara Gallery, Whanganui
Paul Johns, 64zero3, Christchurch
Kiosk, Christchurch
Tiki Tour, Whangarei Art Museum
A&P Show, Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch. Curated by Ken Hall
64zero3, Christchurch

2005
High Street Project Fundraiser, Christchurch
Background: Landscapes, Lopdell House Gallery, Auckland
Photo-London 2005, Royal Academy of Arts, London
30th Anniversary, Brooke-Gifford Gallery, Christchurch
Tylee Cottage Residency

2004
Mr and Mrs Pink’s Fabulous Collection, Blue Oyster Gallery, Dunedin
Mr and Mrs Pink’s Fabulous Collection, High Street Project, Christchurch
PROSPECT, Wellington City Art Gallery, Wellington
Wallace Art Award, Wallace Trust Gallery, Auckland
The Dowse Art Gallery, Lower Hutt
Ayeion Thales, SOFA, Christchurch. Curated by Paul Johns and Robert Hood
International Art Fair and Cake Stall, Blue Oyster, Dunedin
Resistance Through Rituals, Westspace, Melbourne
Carrick Winery, Bannockburn, Central Otago

2003
Reaching Out–Calling New Age Power, High Street Project, Enjoy, Wellington
Reaching Out–Calling New Age Power, High Street Project, Mori, Sydney
Reaching Out–Calling New Age Power, High Street Project, Christchurch
Dimensions Of, High Street Project, Christchurch. Curated by Paul Johns
SX70 Polaroid, McNamara Gallery, Whanganui
3 Artists, Scott Donovan Gallery, Sydney

2002
A Perfect Childhood, McNamara Gallery, Whanganui
A Perfect Childhood, Campbell Grant Galleries, Christchurch
Yes It Is a Painting, Room 401, Auckland
Flora & Fauna, Room 401, Auckland
High Street Project Fundraising Show, Christchurch
I Will Be Famous: A Tribute to Joshua Grant, CoCA, Christchurch
Noughts, Crosses or Tiddlywinks, Blue Oyster, Dunedin

2001–02
This Lifeless Box May Be Full of Energy, The Physics Room, The Physics Room

2001
Art Waikato National Art Award, Hamilton
Cuckoo (Film), Anna Bibby Gallery, Auckland
Arps/Kelaher/Associates Collection, Blue Oyster, Dunedin
Art Waikato National Contemporary Art Award, Waikato Museum of Art and History, Hamilton
Sex – Drugs – Rock and Roll, CoCA, Christchurch

2000–01
Summer Lovin… “I Wuv You”, Blue Oyster, Dunedin
Kiosk, Christchurch

2000
120 Years CoCA, Christchurch
NCC Art Awards for Artworks in Secondary Materials
Paul Johns, Campbell Grant Gallery, Christchurch
Canvas, ad hoc Gallery, Christchurch
CoCA Art Award, Christchurch
Christmas Exhibition, Campbell Grant Galleries, Christchurch

1999
Thanks, Campbell Grant Galleries, Christchurch
Oblique, The Otira Project, Otira
Thoroughfare: Installation Project, Sydenham, Christchurch
Photo, Room 3, Auckland
Last Show 1999, Campbell Grant Galleries, Christchurch

1998–99
40 Out of 40, Robert McDougall Art Gallery, Christchurch

1998
I Want to Be Your Slave, Fiat Lux, Auckland
I Want to Be Your Slave, CoCA, Christchurch
Freedom 98, The Space Gallery, Christchurch
CoCA Award Exhibition, CoCA Gallery, Christchurch
80 × 80, Campbell Grant Galleries, Christchurch
Art on the Move, The Physics Room, Christchurch
Christmas Exhibition, Campbell Grant Galleries, Christchurch
Fundraising Show, High Street Project, Christchurch

1997
Paul Johns, Campbell Grant Galleries, Christchurch
The Still Stare: Works from 1976–1997, University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts Gallery, Christchurch
Fruits of Freedom, The Space Gallery, Christchurch
Kisser, Fiat Lux, Auckland
Shelf, Campbell Grant Galleries, Christchurch
James Wallace Art Award, Auckland

1996
Paul Johns, High Street Project, Christchurch
Multiplies, High Street Project, Christchurch
Crime Show, The Physics Room, Christchurch

1995
Ngaio Marsh: A Life in Art, Canterbury School of Fine Art Gallery, Christchurch

1994
Paul Johns ’73–’94, James Wallace Trust Gallery, Auckland

1992
A Man and a Woman, Salamander Gallery, Christchurch
Self Portraits, Salamander Gallery, Christchurch
Prospect Canterbury ’92, Robert McDougall Art Gallery, Christchurch
I Am: Ko Ahau, Lesbian and Gay Identity in Art, Dunedin Public Art Gallery

1991
Wilhelmus Ruifrok, Paul Johns & Paula Coulthard: Collaborative Paintings and Film, CSA Gallery, Christchurch
Paul Johns, Wilhelmus Ruifrok: Collaborative Paintings, with Paula Coulthard: Candelabra, RKS Art, Auckland

1990
A Canterbury Perspective, Robert McDougall Art Gallery, Christchurch

1988
Beyond Four Straight Sides, CSA Gallery, Christchurch. With Grant Lingard, Trevor Fry and Paul Rayner.
When Art Hits the Headlines, National Art Gallery, Wellington

1987
Paul Johns, CSA Gallery, Christchurch

1985
The Word: An Introduction to Words as Imagery in Contemporary New Zealand Art, Bishop Suter Art Gallery, Nelson

1983
Ladies and Gentlemen, Life and Death, Brooke/Gifford Gallery, Christchurch
Portraits, The Forrester Gallery, Oamaru
Paul Johns, RKS Gallery, Auckland
Acquisitions 1981–82, National Art Gallery, Wellington
Waimairi Art Award, CSA Gallery, Christchurch
Ashburton Licensing Trust Art Award, Ashburton

1982
Torsos, Robinson + Brooker Galleries, Christchurch
Photographic documentation of Andrew Drummond performance, Platforms, Arts Festival Exhibition, CSA Gallery, Christchurch
CSA Centennial Exhibition, CSA Gallery, Christchurch
Tokoroa Art Award, Tokoroa

1981
Christchurch Portraits, Brooke/Gifford Gallery
Paul Johns & Nicholas Register, Robert McDougall Art Gallery, Christchurch

1980
Benson and Hedges Art Award, CSA Gallery, Christchurch
Air New Zealand Rotorua Centennial Art Award, Rotorua Art Gallery
Illusions, Fantasies and Lies, PhotoForum Gallery, Wellington

1979
New Canterbury Contemporaries, Robert McDougall Art Gallery, Christchurch
Polaroids, Snaps Gallery, Auckland

1978
Recent Work, Peter Webb Galleries, Auckland
Pyramid Vision, CSA Gallery, Christchurch
10 Christchurch Photographers, PhotoForum Gallery, Wellington / Auckland

1977
Prints and Sculpture, CSA Gallery, Christchurch
Beverley, Brooke/Gifford Gallery, Christchurch
Photographic Exhibition, CSA Gallery, Christchurch
Mendelsberg Studio, Christchurch
Andrew (with Tom Fraser), PhotoForum Gallery, Wellington
New Zealand Prints 1977, Auckland City Art Gallery, touring
Young Contemporaries, Auckland City Art Gallery

1976
Photography, CSA Gallery, Christchurch

1969
Ceramics/Paintings (with Robyn Neate), ad hoc Gallery, Christchurch