Sandra JOHNSTON

a visual artist from Northern Ireland active internationally since 1992

working predominantly in the areas of site-responsive performance and installation

Johnston’s actions have often involved exploring the aftermath of trauma, through developing acts of commemoration that exist as forms of testimony and empathetic encounter.

Johnston has held several teaching and research posts since 2002, including an AHRC Research Fellowship at the University Of Ulster in Belfast, investigating issues of ‘trauma of place’.

in 2007 she was the ‘Ré Soupault’ Guest Professor at the Bauhaus University, Weimar. Currently, Course Leader of the BxNU MFA at Northumbria University in England.

in 2013 Johnston published a PhD research project entitled, Beyond Reasonable Doubt: An Investigation into Concepts of Doubt, Risk and Testimony Explored Through Consideration of Performance Art Processes in Relation to Systems of Legal Justice, with LIT.

several artworks have developed through intensive collaborative processes, notably two long-standing creative partnerships with Alastair MacLennan and Dominic Thorpe, which have greatly enriched the practice.

in addition, Johnston has been involved in developing artist-run collectives in Belfast, namely: CATALYST ARTS; BBEYOND.