The Broad museum opens major Jasper Johns exhibition; artist was subject of early 'American Masters' doc

The Broad's Jasper Johns: 'Something Resembling Truth' runs February 10-May 13

"Flag" from 1967, by Jasper Johns, on display at The Broad museum exhibition of the artist's work. Photo by Matt Carey

A major exhibit of work by artist Jasper Johns is about to open to the public at The Broad in downtown Los Angeles.

The museum describes the show, Jasper Johns: 'Something Resembling Truth,' as "the most comprehensive survey in the U.S." of his paintings, sculpture and drawings in the last 20 years. More than 120 works spanning Johns' 60-year career will be on display during the exhibition that runs from February 10-May 13, 2018.

Johns does not feel that he is providing every answer. In fact, the painting itself is asking a question as much as it's providing an answer.

--From the American Masters documentary Jasper Johns: Ideas in Paint

Johns, 87, chooses to "use everyday imagery to plumb the intellectual space between the familiar and the abstract, between the tangible object and painterly illusion," noted Joanne Heyler, founding director of The Broad, at a press preview of the exhibition on Wednesday. "His work eventually helped usher in pop cart, conceptual art, minimalism and post-modernism. While that chronology is well-established, this exhibition paves the way for a deeper and subtler understanding of Johns' practice."

The artist was the subject of the 1989 documentary Jasper Johns: Ideas in Paint directed by Rick Tejada-Flores that aired in the early years of the acclaimed PBS series American Masters.

"A large part of my work has been involved with the idea of the painting as object, as real thing in itself," Johns says in the documentary, his words read by his friend, composer John Cage.

A detail of Jasper Johns' painting "Map" from 1962, part of the exhibition of his work at The Broad museum. The painting is on loan from the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.

See below for more photos from the exhibition, as well as pictures taken from other points within The Broad.

A woman regards Johns' 1961 painting "Target." Los Angeles, Wednesday, February 7. Photo by Matt Carey

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"Painting with Two Balls" from 1960

A detail of "Field Painting" from 1963-64

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Detail of a Johns' work with characteristic stenciling

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Text on the wall of one of the galleries of the Jasper Johns exhibition

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Joanne Heyler, founding director of The Broad, introduces the Jasper Johns exhibition at a press preview. Los Angeles, Wednesday, February 7. Photo by Matt Carey

Signage outside The Broad

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One of Johns' Crosshatch paintings from the 1970s. This one, for me, evokes Matisse.

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Johns' 1960 sculpture "Painted Bronze," on loan from the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Photo by Matt Carey

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Guests at the press preview on Wednesday, February 7, 2018. Photo by Matt Carey

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The ground floor entrance to the Jasper Johns exhibition at The Broad. Los Angeles, Wednesday, February 7. Photo by Matt Carey

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View of a porthole-type opening in The Broad, as seen from inside the building. Los Angeles, Wednesday, February 7. Photo by Matt Carey

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Stairwell within The Broad. Photo by Matt Carey

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Stairwell within The Broad. Photo by Matt Carey

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Water fountain within The Broad. Photo by Matt Carey

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A meeting room within The Broad. Los Angeles, Wednesday, February 7. Photo by Matt Carey

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The Broad exterior on a sunny day. Los Angeles, Wednesday, February 7. Photo by Matt Carey

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