Renowned St. Louis artist Alex Johnmeyer, known for his vibrant realism, will unveil his long awaited solo exhibition, Unboxed, at the Angad Arts Hotel, located at 3550 Samuel Shepard Dr., St. Louis, MO 63103. Curated by Vanessa Rudloff, Unboxed will open with a public reception on March 7th from 5:00–8:00 pm, offering guests the chance to meet the artist and experience the exhibition. This free, all-ages event is open to the public. The artwork will remain on view through May 31st.
This new series of paintings, influenced by Johnmeyer’s childhood in the 1980s and 90s, depicts beloved toys and pop culture references, reimagined through a contemporary lens. Unboxed explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and living authentically, inspired by Johnmeyer’s experiences as a transgender and queer man. The paintings capture moments of lost innocence and longing, blending playfulness with bittersweet introspection. As a multidisciplinary artist, Johnmeyer begins his creative process through the lens of his camera, which he then translates into dynamic works using oils, watercolors, and acrylics. To enhance texture and dimension, he sometimes incorporates materials such as paper clay, light modeling paste, or coarse pumice gel.
“I hope others will connect with the emotions tied to these familiar objects and uncover fragments of their own past within my work,” says Johnmeyer. At a young age, children often identify with their toys, imagining themselves as the figures. These toys become extensions of their own identity, allowing them to explore who they are. This series reflects my own struggles with my gender identity, the societal expectations I felt, and the loneliness of feeling different. These pieces, for me, explore the universal desires for belonging and self-acceptance.”
His ability to merge nostalgia with striking symbolism has garnered him numerous accolades, including the Award of Excellence in Artistry from St. Louis City Recorder of Deeds, Michael Butler, and the title of Best Fine Artist in St. Louis Magazine’s 2021 Reader’s Choice A List. Over the past 16 years, Johnmeyer’s paintings have been featured in numerous St. Louis galleries and businesses, including Duane Reed Gallery, 31art Gallery, Art Saint Louis, Houska Gallery, and Third Degree Glass Factory, where he held his first solo show in 2017. Additionally, six of his original watercolor paintings are permanently installed at the newly constructed St. Louis University Hospital on Grand Blvd.
Johnmeyer’s art practice is deeply intertwined with his commitment to community and social impact. As a co-founder of the Metro Trans Umbrella Group (MTUG), a non-profit organization supporting transgender advocacy, he served as Events Director and curator of MTUG’s annual LGBTQ+ art exhibition, Transcending the Spectrum, from 2013 to 2021. He actively supports numerous non-profits and fundraisers, including Arts as Healing, Art of PAWS for Vivent Health, Wall Ball for Artscope, and PROMO. Johnmeyer has a sincere passion for volunteerism and support organizations, blending art with an ongoing commitment to positive social change.
There will be two opportunities to attend a Curated Cocktails Artist Talk with Johnmeyer, hosted by the Angad Arts Hotel, on March 10th and May 12th from 6-8 PM. Tickets cost $15 and include a curated cocktail, a walking tour of all the art spaces in the hotel, and a chance to hear more about the stories, symbolism, and techniques behind the creation of the works in Unboxed. To secure your spot, please visit the Angad Arts Hotel’s website at www.angadartshotel.com.
For more information about Alex Johnmeyer and his work, please visit www.alexjohnmeyer.com, or follow his Facebook page, Alex Johnmeyer Art, and Instagram at @superkeenalex.
