Johnny Romeo is an Australian born painter. His work is critically acclaimed in its attempt to represent a visual type of poetic and rhythmic blending of word, symbol and image.
Referred to as a bombastic neo expressionist pure pop painter with a lot to say about modern life, his work deals with the way we construct our identities from the vast array of images that pop culture immerses us in.
His work is in numerous public and private national and international collections.
Johnny Romeo’s work critiques the madness of a modern world driven by pervasive advertising, hollow materialism and wasteful excess, exploring the way in which we construct our identities through the idolisation of pop culture and brand-name heroes.
Johnny Romeo is an Australian born painter. His work is critically acclaimed in its attempt to represent a visual type of poetic and rhythmic blending of word, symbol and image.
Referred to as a bombastic neo expressionist pure pop painter with a lot to say about modern life, his work deals with the way we construct our identities from the vast array of images that pop culture immerses us in.
His work centres on pop culture, cultural homogenisation, the failures of blind consumerism, media saturation, celebrity fetish and brand name heroes. He mixes pop techniques with street art to critique some of the consumerist sentiments pervasive in society and, at times, in art, leading to him being called a colourist and a pop individualist.
His work is in numerous public and private national and international collections.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Art Education, College of Fine Arts, Sydney, AUS
Masters Degree (Comms), University of Western Sydney, AUS
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 New Radicals, Boyd-Dunlop Gallery, New Zealand
2023 Dodge City, Linton and Kay Gallery, Perth, AUS
2023 Year of the Sasquatch, Grainger Gallery, Canberra, AUS
2023 Cloud 9, West End Art Space, Melbourne, AUS
2022 Landed!, Harvery Galleries, Sydney, AUS
2022 Ned Kelly Revisited, 19Karen in association with Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach, AUS
2022 In Between Days, 12 Gallery, Auckland, NZ
2022 CHOOSE LIFE, Harvey Galleries, Sydney, AUS
2021 Colossal Youth, Aarwun Gallery, Canberra, AUS
2021 RISE, Boyd-Dunlop Gallery, Napier, NZ
2021 New Clear Days, Linton & Kay Galleries, Perth, AUS
2021 Kings Of The Wild Frontier, Graphite Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
2021 Nothing Is Real, 19Karen, Gold Coast, Queensland, AUS
2021 Selected Works, Hell’s Kitchen Gallery in association with 19Karen, Tiny Tree Cafe, Brisbane AUS
2020 The Sunny Side Of The Moon, Harvey Galleries, Sydney, AUS
2020 The Beautiful People, Galleri Lohme, Malmo, SWEDEN
2020 Sign Of The Times, Boyd-Dunlop Gallery, Napier in association with 12 Gallery, Auckland, NZ
2020 Burn Down The Disco, Linton & Kay Galleries, Perth, AUS
2020 Johnny Romeo Pop-Up, Harvey Galleries, Melbourne, AUS
2019 Dream-land, 19 Karen Gallery, Mermaid Beach QLD, AUS
2019 Retrospective, 19 Karen Gallery + Sofitel Hotel, Mermaid Beach QLD, AUS
2019 To The Extreme – Harvey Galleries Mosman, AUS
2019 Rocka Rolla – Aarwun Gallery, Canberra, AUS
2019 In A Moonage Dream, 12 Gallery, Auckland NZ
2019 Dream-Land, 19 Karen, Gold Coast AUS
2018 The Last Days of Disco, Harvey Galleries, Mosman AUS
2018 New Americana, The Australian Consulate-General, New York US
2018 Guns N Poses, Aarwun Gallery, Canberra AUS
2018 Rock is Dead, Linton & Kay Galleries, Perth AUS
2017 Electric Boogaloo, Harvey Galleries, Mosman, AUS
2017 The Arthouse Series, 12 Gallery, Auckland NZ
2017 Boogie Street, Penny Contemporary, Hobart TAS AUS
2017 Pure Heroine, Linton & Kaye Galleries, Perth AUS
2016 Ghetto Superstar$, Harvey Galleries, Sydney, AUS
2016 Wasteland, Mitchell Fine Art Gallery, Brisbane, AUS
2016 Johnny Romeo 27, Penny Contemporary, Hobart AUS
2016 When We Ruled The World, Linton & Kay Galleries, Perth AUS
2016 Lincolns on Lincoln, China Inn Gallery, Venice, California US
2015 Selected Works, with Bespoke Furniture and Penny Contemporary, Melbourne AUS
2015 Pop Life, 19 Karen, Gold Coast, Queensland AUS
2015 TV Land, Converge Gallery, Williamsport, Pennsylvania US
2015 Angry Birds, Porter Contemporary, New York US
2015 POPtometry, Hoff Optometry and Eyewear, Venice, CA US
2015 Top Of The Pops, NG Art Gallery, Sydney, AUS
2015 Open Studio, Linton & Kaye Galleries, Perth AUS
2015 Sonic Youth, Prize of Venice, Venice, CA US
2014 Wasted Years, 12 Gallery, Auckland NZ
2014 Icons, CG Projects, Williamsport, Pennsylvania US
2014 Editions on Paper: Too West Coast, Petra Gallery, Beverly Hills, CA US
2014 Dirty Boulevard, Penny Contemporary, Hobart AUS
2014 Pussy Riot, Muk Muk Fine Art, Darwin AUS
2014 Pussy Riot, Muk Muk Fine Art, Alice Springs, AUS
2013 POPism: The Andy Warhol Show, 19 Karen, Gold Coast, AUS
2013 Forever Young, Jeanie Madsen Gallery, Santa Monica CA US
2013 Deadwood, NG Art Gallery, Sydney AUS
2013 Grindhouse, Porter Contemporary, New York US
2012 Blood Sport, Buratti Fine Art, Perth AUS
2012 When Doves Cry, Letham Gallery, Auckland NZ
2012 Cop Killer, Muk Muk Fine Art & Sprout Creative, Darwin AUS
2012 Cop Killer, Muk Muk Fine Art, Alice Springs AUS
2011 Romeo Must Die: The Super Villain Series, NG Art Gallery, Sydney AUS
2011 Sin City, Buratti Fine Art, Perth AUS
2011 Special Release: Ned Kelly Hero Series, 19 Karen, Gold Coast, AUS
2010 Spiderbait, 19 Karen, Gold Coast, AUS
2010 Electric Bird, Letham Gallery, Auckland NZ
2010 Johnny Romeo Vs David Spencer, United Galleries, Perth, AUS
2010 You’ll Never Take Me Alive! The Ned Kelly Hero Series, NG Art Gallery, Sydney AUS
2009 Candyland, 19 Karen, Gold Coast AUS
2009 Crisis On Infinite Earths, Letham Gallery, Auckland NZ
2009 Flight Club, Gilligan Grant Gallery, Melbourne AUS
2008 Dove Kidney Zoo, NG Art Gallery in association with Maurice Byer Chambers, MLC Centre, Sydney AUS
2008 Galaxy Cattle, NG Art Gallery, Sydney AUS
2007 Brain on a Machine, China Heights, Surry Hills, AUS
2007 Converse, Regard Gallery, Darlington, AUS
2007 Live at the Apollo, Newview Gallery, Newtown, AUS
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019 Art in the Vines, Anala Art Advisory, Glenbrook NSW, AUS
2019 Threesome International Group Show, 19 Karen Gallery, Mermaid Beach AUS
2017 POP Austin International Art Show, Austin, Texas US
2017 The LA Residency (Local Access), Converge Gallery, Williamsport US
2017 Neo Nouveau, Sidewinder Gallery, Chicago US
2017 Affordable Art Fair, Stockholm SWEDEN
2017 Signs of the Time, The Gold Coast Arts Centre, Gold Coast, AUS
2016 HAPPY, 19 Karen, Gold Coast, AUS
2015 New (Town) Romantics, Penny Contemporary, Hobart AUS
2015 Urban Art – Parked!, Wilson Parking Car Park, North Sydney, AUS
2015 PAIN/TING, Open Walls Gallery, Berlin GERMANY
2015 RED, 19 Karen, Gold Coast AUS
2015 The Australians, Pearce Gallery, Whitecliffe College of the Arts & Design, Auckland NZ
2014 Language Art, Cornell Museum, Delray Beach Center for the Arts, Delray Beach, Florida US
2014 Affordable Art Fair with Panter & Hall, Battersea, London UK
2014 A Tribute to Michael Jackson’s 10 Best film Clips, 19 Karen, Gold Coast, AUS
2014 A Portrait Apart Deux, Porter Contemporary, New York US
2013 Fountain Art Fair, Chicago, Converge Gallery, Pennsylvania US
2013 Below The Surface, Converge Gallery, Pennsylvania US
2013 The Figure, Buratti Fine Art, Perth AUS
2013 The Art of Cirque du Soleil, 19 Karen, Gold Coast, AUS
2013 Uprising, Converge Gallery, Pennsylvania US
2013 Urban Pop II, Jeanie Madsen Gallery, California US
2012 Gold Coast Art Prize, The Arts Centre, Gold Coast AUS
2012 Homage to Hollywood, 19 Karen, Gold Coast AUS
2012 A Rolling Stone, Porter Contemporary, New York US
2012 The Art Of Spain, 19 Karen, Gold Coast AUS
2011 There and Back Again, Porter Contemporary, New York US
2011 Aqua Art Fair, Art Basel, Miami 2011, Porter Contemporary, New York US
2011 Blow In, Museum & Crane, Los Angeles, California US
2011 Super Iam8bit, Iam8bit Gallery, Los Angeles, California US
2011 Urban Pop, Jeanie Madsen Gallery, Santa Monica, California US
2011 Homage To Frida, 19 Karen, Gold Coast AUS
2011 Stockumentary, Letham Gallery, Auckland NZ
2010 The Sydney Fringe Festival, Sydney, AUS
2010 Mood Swings, 19 Karen, Gold Coast AUS
2009 Plates, Letham Gallery, Auckland NZ
2009 Petits Travaux, Retrospect Galleries, Byron Bay AUS
2009 Troop, Gilligan Grant Gallery, Melbourne AUS
2009 Art Sydney, Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park AUS
2009 Each To Their Own, The Freshly Baked Gallery, Melbourne AUS
2009 Revolution Of Art, Retrospect Galleries, Byron Bay AUS
2009 Williamstown Festival Contemporary Art Prize, Port Melbourne, AUS
2009 Every Dog Has Its Day, Letham Gallery, Auckland NZ
2008 Art Sydney 08, Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park AUS
2008 Food For Thought, NG Art Gallery, Sydney AUS
2008 Royalty Tooth Coins, 2042: Art on the Street, Sydney AUS
2008 Come See The Animals, Gilligan Grant Gallery, Melbourne, AUS
2008 Sordid Tales: A History of Chippendale, NG Art Gallery, Sydney, AUS
2007 Fragile Planet, NG Art Gallery, Sydney, AUS
2007 The Weekend Australian Art Sydney, Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park AUS
2007 Let Them Roam, Harrison Galleries, Sydney, AUS
Collections
Numerous public and private national and international collections.
PRESS
2017 Top of the Pops, Interview in Perth’s ‘Sunday Times Magazine’
2017 Interview/Johnny Romeo, No Cure Magazine Issue 13
2016 Interview/Johnny Romeo, Artist Profile Magazine Issue 34
2015 Front Cover and Interview, The Sublime Zine Issue 9
2015 Art From Down Under Leaves Its Mark On Williamsport, Showcase Section, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Pennsylvania, Oct 22
2015 Pop Artist Shares His Vision With WASD Students, by Tony Irwin, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Pennsylvania, Sept 16
2015 Setting Up For Success, by Samantha Wallace, Entertainment, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Pennsylvania, Sept 11
2015 Johnny Romeo To Present New Exhibit, Book Of Prints in ‘TV LAND’, Showcase Section, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Pennsylvania, Sept 10
2015 A Book Of Many Colors, by Samantha Wallace, West Branch Life Magazine, Fall Edition – August Vol 3 Issue 3
2015 Sharpe Cuts Through, by Clyde Selby, Public Hangings, Tasweekend Magazine, The Mercury, Hobart, June 20
2015 Art And Wine Blend Gives Chippo A New Buzz Around The Old Block, by Michael Koziol, The Sydney Morning Herald, June 20
2015 Urban Art Parked!, Spectrum, The Sydney Morning Herald, June 6
2015 Carpark Takes Arty Turn, by Kate Crawford, Mosman Daily, June 4
2015 Unique Art Put In Gear, by Kate Crawford, North Shore Times, June 3
2015 Art Shines In Top Of The Pops Show, Lifestyle, Inner West Courier, June 2
2015 Artists See Red Over Show by Phil Brown, Arts And Entertainment, Brisbane Courier Mail, April 30
2015 Phil James by William Sturrock, Artist Profile Magazine, Issue 30
2014 Tragic Heroes, Art News New Zealand, Sketches, Summer Issue
2014 Q&A With Johnny Romeo by Lyndsey Hewitt, Showcase Section, Sun-Gazette, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Oct 2
2014 John Felix, Johnny Romeo & Petra Gallerie by Anthony Ewart, Hollywood Weekly, August Issue
2014 The Soft Approach by A.J.Edwards, Artist Profile Magazine, Issue 28
2014 Johnny Romeo Inside The Mind Of Australia’s Leading Pop Artist by Taher Nojavan, The Source Magazine, University of Western Sydney, Issue 1
2014 Man In The Mirror Ride by Fiona Purdon, Sunday Mail, U On Sunday Magazine, May 18
2014 Coast Confidential, Gold Coast Bulletin, May 6
2014 Pop Artist Johnny Romeo, Editorial Quote, Centralian Advocate, Alice Springs, March 7
2014 Romeo Lets Art Run Riot, News, Centralian Advocate, Alice Springs, March 7
2014 Such Sweet Sorrow, Johnny Romeo in Conversation with territory Q, TQ Art, Territory Q Magazine, Issue 2
2014 Hang Tough by Antonio Tati, Gallery, Rock Candy Magazine, Issue 8
2013 First Williamsport, Then The World by Lyndsey Hewit, Showcase, Sun-Gazette, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Nov 27
2013 Pop Artist on a celebrity Ride by Fiona Purdon, Sunday Mail, U On Sunday Magazine, Nov 10
2013 Jeanie Madsen Gallery Presents Three Solo Show “Say What? By Kathy Leonardo, Santa Monica Mirror, Oct 4
2013 Deadwood, Open Gallery, by Michael Fitzgerald, Spectrum, The Sydney Morning Herald, Sept 7
2013 Arts, Galleries, Deadwood, by John Saxby, Arts Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald, Aug 20
2013 Party Parade, by Effie Mann, S, The Sun Herald, Aug 18
2013 Eight Days, compiled by Sarah Thomas, Unwind, The Sun Herald, Aug 18
2013 The Shortlist, by Sarah Thomas, The Sydney Morning Herald, Aug 16
2013 Add A Dash Of Dead Celebs & A Mix Of Pop Culture, MX Newspaper, Aug 14
2013 Eternal Fame Game, by James Gorman, Central Sydney Magazine, Aug 14
2013 It’s A Dead-Set Tribute to See Artist’s Celebrity Show, by Lauren Murada, Lifestyle, Galleries, Inner West Courier, Aug 13
2013 Showcase, Sun-Gazett, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Aug 8
2013 Coast Confidential, Gold Coast Bulletin, June 5
2013 Caldarelli At Licensing Expo For The First Time, Total Licensing Italy Magazine, Summer Issue
2013 Must Visit, Coast Culture, Gold Coast Panache Magazine, Issue Jan/Feb
2012 Hooray For Hollywood by Tim Hannaford, Paradise Magazine, Gold Coast Bulletin, Dec 1
2012 Knockout Show Hits The Canvas by Stephen Bevis, The Weekend West, Oct 27
2012 ARTS & EVENTS, by Jenna Shenton, Scoop Magazine, Spring Issue 061
2012 NT Wrap, 03 A Foot In Two Camps, by Kieran Finnane, Australian Art Collector, Issue 62
2012 Collector, Contemporary Conversions by Helen McKenzie, Australian Art Collector, Issue 61
2012 Hold-Out Gallery Lauds WA Scene by Katrina Strickland, The Australian Financial Review, June 20
2012 Viva Espana by Marina Saint Martin, Artworld, Paradise Magazine, The Weekend Bulletin, June 23
2012 Coast Confidential, Gold Coast Bulletin, June 13
2012 Essence Of A Nation, Zarraffa’s The Grind Magazine, Issue 7
2012 Spanish Acquisition by Sally Browne, Sunday Mail, Galleries, U On Sunday Magazine, June 3
2012 Arts & Culture, Showing At Letham Gallery, Ponsonby News Magazine, New Zealand. May
2012 Cop Killer, Visual Arts, Off The Leash Magazine, Darwin, March
2012 Great Art Galleries, Johnny Romeo Cop Killer, Sunday Territorian, Darwin, Mar 25
2012 Ned Kelly, Cop Killer, NT News, Northern Territory, March 16
2012 Johnny Romeo Exhibition Cop Killer, Darwin Life Magazine, March
2012 Ned Kelly Like You’ve Never Seen, Centralian Advocate, Alice Springs, Mar 13
2012 Exhibition Brief, Johnny Romeo Cop Killer, Art Almanac, March
2011 Johnny Romeo, Spectrum, The Sydney Morning Herald, Oct 29
2011 The Buzz, Grazia Review, Grazia Magazine, Issue 159
2011 Exhibition, 24 Hours The Art Diary, The Sydney Morning Herald, Oct 19
2011 Heroes And Villains, by Lauren Murada, Inner West Courier, Oct 18
2011 Critic’s Choice, The Best Art Shows This month, Time Out Sydney, Oct
2011 Sinners Are Winners, by Jacqui Bahr, Arts End, The Wire Magazine, Issue 114
2011 Go Johnny, Go, by Stephen Bevis, The West Australian, July 20
2011 Exhibitions, Review Magazine, The Australian, June 25
2011 Art & Antiques, Australian Insite Magazine. Issue 28
2011 Art Gallery’s Choice, Australian Insite Magazine. Issue 28
2011 Fit To Be Hung, GQ Style Australia. Autumn/Winter Issue 2
2011 WA Wrap, 05, Johnny Romeo Special Release: Ned Kelly, Australian Art Collector. Issue 55
2010 Queensland, Contemporary Matters, Art Monthly Australia. Issue 236
2010 Australian Galleries Launch IPhone Apps, Australian Art Collector. Issue 54
2010 Art + Culture, Ponsonby News Magazine, New Zealand. Sept
2010 Star Wars, STE Magazine, Sunday Times, Perth. June 13
2010 Art Month Follow Your Art, Australia Vogue Living March/April
2010 Exhibitions_View Australia, Artist Profile Magazine, Issue 10,
2010 Hot Tickets- Art, Entertainment The Sun Herald,March 7
2010 Framing Ned Kelly, Interval Arts & Film Guide, The Drum Media Magazine, Issue 1000
2010 Style, Prestige Lifestyle Magazine, Gold Coast. March
2010 Street Level, The Brag Magazine, Issue 353
2010 Pedro TV Review, The Newtonian, Vol 1 Edition 5
2009 Inner City Vibe, Sprout Magazine, Issue 1
2009 Johnny Romeo, August issue, Ponsonby News Magazine, New Zealand
2009 Artistic Licence, March/April, Issue 24, NZ Life & Leisure Magazine, New Zealand
2009 Gallery Snapshot, Reviews by Jeff Makin, February, Herald Sun, Melbourne
2009 Rivista – Johnny Romeo, February, Il Globe magazine, Melbourne
2009 Johnny Romeo by Rohan Trollope, February, The Age (Entertainment Guide), Melbourne
2008 Johnny Romeo by Leesha McKenny, July, The Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney
2008 Demolition Man by Rhiannon Elston, July, Time Out Magazine, Sydney
2008 Adrenalin Rush by Elizabeth Fortescue, July, The Daily Telegraph, Sydney
2008 Painting by Elizabeth Fortesue, July, The Daily Telegraph, Sydney
2008 What your Art about Romeo? by Britta Campion July, MX Magazine, Sydney
2008 Galaxy Cattle by Jo Litson, July, The Sunday Telegraph, Sydney
2008 Arts Frontline, Reviews, July, Brag magazine, Sydney
2008 Where for Art Thou, Romeo? by Jennifer Bennett, July, Central magazine, Sydney
2008 Johnny Romeo by Giuseppe Russo, August, La Fiamma magazine, Sydney
2008 Art for Arts Sake Reviews, Aug/Oct, Australian Art Review.
TELEVISION & RADIO
2016 Channel 9’s ‘Postcards’, Johnny interviewed by Scherri-Lee Biggs
2015 Johnny Romeo interviewed by Dave Kuharchik, PA LIVE–WBRE/NBC, Sept 17
2015 Johnny Romeo interviewed by Fiona Powell, Radio Station WVIA FM’s Art Scene, Sept 16
2014 Conquest Of Space: Science Fiction & Contemporary Art, by Andrew Frost, ABC Arts
2013 Pop Artist Johnny Romeo – Documentary Directed by Danny Guo, Produced by Antony Cirocco – Academy of IT, Sydney
2013 Johnny Romeo, Tim Bailey Weather Report, Channel 10 News, Sydney, Nov 27
2013 Johnny Romeo Deadwood, Le Clubz On Air TVS 44, Sydney
2012 Johnny Romeo Bloodsport, Gallery Watch, West TV, Perth
2012 Ned Kelly Revisited, 7:30 NT, ABC News
2012 Ned Kelly Revisited, 7:30 National, ABC News
2010 Johnny Romeo, Art Break, STUDIO TV, SBS & Foxtel Australia.
PUBLICATIONS
2015 TV Land, The Art of Johnny Romeo
2012 The Art Of Johnny Romeo, Buratti Fine Art
2012 Johnny Romeo Cop Killer, Muk Muk Fine Art
2009 Johnny Romeo Balloons and Airships, Black Falcon
2009 InRetrospect 10, Retrospect Galleries.
ACHIEVEMENTS
2012 Finalist – Gold Coast Art Prize, Gold Coast City Gallery, Queensland
