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John Lee is the artist behind Clohn Art and currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His roots, however, stretch to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he grew up and this influence is evident throughout his works. Clohn Art actually originated in 1999 as Clohn cards, mail art between John and his best friend. John has since kept the brand for all of his art. For most of his 20s, he lived in Kunming, China where he spent a lot of time not learning Chinese and doing art instead. He uses a variety of materials and styles in his art and is passionate about ensuring that his pieces are affordable for all. Inspired by Adam Neate and other artists, he has decorated the streets of many cities around the world with his works for people to find and keep as their own. He invented the Honor System Street Art Gallery which invites people to select from a small body of art on the street, paying whatever they choose, thus toying with the idea of arts’ value.

He recently became a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and otherwise spends time selling his art online or at festivals. 

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EXHIBITION RECORD

  • 2019 5 Art festivals: Pittsburgh, Columbus, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Chicago

  • 2018 5 Art festivals: Pittsburgh, Columbus, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Chicago

  • 2017 Three Rivers Art Festival, Columbus Arts Festival 2016 Columbus Art Festival, Columbus OH

  • 2015 Three Rivers Art Festival, Pittsburgh PA 2015 Easton Art Affair, Columbus OH 2014 Three Rivers Art Festival, Pittsburgh PA 2014 Shadyside Art Festival on Walnut Street, Pittsburgh PA

  • 2013 Three Rivers Art Festival Emerging Artist, Pittsburgh PA 2012 Two Person Show: Follow the Brush at Gallery 831, Columbus OH 2012 Two Person show at Edit Gallery, Richmond VA 2011 Solo Show at Edit Gallery, Richmond VA

GRANTS/AWARDS

  • 2019 Mark Stein Memorial Award at Three Rivers Art Festival

  • 2018 Jurors Merit Award at Cain Park Art Festival 2014 Emerging Artist Scholarship (2nd year) at Three Rivers Art Festival

  • 2013 Emerging Artist Scholarship (1st year) at Three Rivers Art Festival

BLOGS

  • “Send in the Clohns: John Lee, the Cardboard Caravaggio” https://pittsburghorbit.com/2019/11/17/send-in-the-clohns-john-lee-the-cardboard-caravaggio/

  • “For John Lee’s Clohn Art, Every Place Can Be a Gallery” http://litpitt.com/2014/06/09/for-john-lees-clohn-art-every-place-can-be-a-gallery/

  • “Emerging Artist Profile: John Lee” http://www.3riversartsfest.org/2013/05/emerging-artist-profile-john-lee/