Work samples

  • BMA kolpeace Performance (no sound) | kolpeace "rich spirits"

    This performance art style is called “kolpeace” which means Kids Only Love Peace. What seperates this performance art style from the rest is bring the work to life using painting, dance, and music that impacts the engagement of the performance. A emote of physical liberation made in the moment promotes the core of this technique involving painting , music , movement, and community engagement to form a safe space for joy and grief.

  • IMG_0633.jpg
    IMG_0633.jpg

    photo courtesy of the BMA

  • 541ED4C5-36F6-4DDA-A2A5-47D7BE40B8F4.JPG
    541ED4C5-36F6-4DDA-A2A5-47D7BE40B8F4.JPG

    photographer credit : Joe Cardamone

  • 5ECEFA0F-A770-49C7-B7FE-C62ABFC00548.JPG
    5ECEFA0F-A770-49C7-B7FE-C62ABFC00548.JPG

    photography credit : Brandon "Billy" Towns

About Christopher

Baltimore City

 Artist Christopher "kolpeace" Johnson born in 94' explores his black southern culture & ancestral characters through liberating portraits while rapidly creating & specializing in contemporary art, public art , community art, and performance art. Now residing in Baltimore during his studio artist residency at Creative Alliance after obtaining his MFA in community arts from MICA (2021) , His work is intended to instigate the narrative of taking the… more

"trust yo process" words from a brother (Patterson Park Theater Gallery)

​This performance art was done during an artist's solo show with my good friend Murjoni Merriweather. This portrait/installation of her  is a reflection of how to celebrate one's own progression and growth. We would look in a reflection of ourselves and wonder what is this all for and where does it stem from. I would seek other views on a moment in life and then decide from that which best fit in my next move. I learned to start to trust myself and move through a process beyond that brush. This face isn’t women nor man, it is a being of vibrancy and life. Do you see the growth in the field of colors?

   

​This performance portrait is a reflection of how to celebrate one's own progression and growth.

Length of each performance : 8 to 14 minutes

Materials : Recycled Wood, Fire , Sword , Spray Paint , Easel , Brush, Acrylic Paint , Stool, Music 

Performance Location : Creative Alliance , Baltimore (MD) 2022

  • "Trust Yo Process"
    "Trust Yo Process" Cinematographer: Niajea Randolph Location : Creative Alliance, Baltimore, MD ​This performance portrait is a reflection of how to celebrate one's own progression and growth. Length of each performance : 8 to 14 minutes Materials : Recycled Wood, Fire , Sword , Spray Paint , Easel , Brush, Acrylic Paint , Stool, Music Performance Location : Creative Alliance , Baltimore (MD)
  • impact result of performance
    impact result of performance
  • trust yo process
    trust yo process
    cinematographer credit :Niajea Randolph

"2 min and 7 sec with a king" (environmental study performance)

"2 min and 7 sec with a King" 
Cinematographer: Niajea Randolph 
Location : Baltimore, MD 

2023
   
This video is an ode to Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. on the night of January 16, 2023. With cinematographer Niajea Randolph by my side we decided to hit multiple heavy following traffic locations to create a dedicated painted  performance. One location was a carwash and the other was the median entering baltimore.
   

"kolpeace" stands for (Kids Only Love Peace), this is a black superhero that creates rapid portraits in the matter of minutes. Fire, spray paint, & sound are just a few engaging artistic/unique tools used by the artist to produce prolific artwork in a performance while captivating audiences within community spaces. You can see more via the arisit website kolpeace.com
Length of each performance : 8 to 14 minutes
Materials : Recylced Wood, Fire , Sword , Spray Paint , Easel , Brush, Acrylic Paint , Stool, Music 
Peformance Location :  Peale Muesum , Baltimore (MD)

  • 2 min and 7 sec with a king
  • performance result of environmental study (MLK dedication)
    performance result of environmental study (MLK dedication)

    (After Each Performance the work is transformed into a contemporary piece of Art for exhibition )

  • results of performance practice and environmental study
    results of performance practice and environmental study

    (After Each Performance the work is transformed into a contemporary piece of Art for exhibition )

     

    This is a performance done in Charleston , SC at the College of Charleston

A Visual Ode to Billie Holiday | Sagamore Pendry Performance

"A Visual Ode to Billie Holiday"
Cinematographer: Niajea Randolph 
Location : Sagamore Pendry Baltimore 
Baltimore, MD

Performance Duration : 8 min 
Size : 34 x 34

2023

An ode is normally a short lyric poem/song that shows appreciation to an individual, an idea or an event. 

This moment I created a visual ode inspired by the iconic Billie Holiday. During my time at the Sagamore Baltimore partnering with Visit Baltimore, my research about her lyrical rendition of the poem "Strange Fruit"written by Abel Meeropol. This moment in history told the unsung truth in the 1930s towards the horror of lynching in the American South.

  • A Visual Ode to Billie Holiday
    An ode is normally a short lyric poem/song that shows appreciation to an individual, an idea or an event. This moment I created a visual ode inspired by the iconic Billie Holiday. During my time at the Sagamore Baltimore partnering with Visit Baltimore, my research about her lyrical rendition of the poem "Strange Fruit"written by Abel Meeropol. This moment in history told the unsung truth in the 1930s towards the horror of lynching in the American South. cinematographer credit :Niajea Randolph
  • photo (results & impact of the performance)
    photo (results & impact of the performance)

    cinematographer credit :Niajea Randolph

  •  (results & impact of the performance)
    (results & impact of the performance)

    34 x 34 acrylic on wood performative painting

     

    (After Each Performance the work is transformed into a contemporary piece of Art for exhibition )

  • photo (results & impact of the performance)
    photo (results & impact of the performance)

    cinematographer credit :Niajea Randolph

"color therapy" | kolpeace (color study in studio performance)

This color therapy performance in studio created room to incorporate elements and principles of color. Westside Boogie(s) created “More Black Superheroes” drops this album in 2022. The entire track focuses on revealing therapeutic paths from a man in his everyday journey. Inspired by the album I created the portrait . My movements are swift , My body feels healthy, and I can hear the people behind me. My friends control my music and record me. I know in my mind my spirit is rich and I only have one shot to create that feeling of inspiration. Do you feel inspired ? Does your spirit feel rich?

A Visual Ode To Hip Hop (Westside Boogie) "no sound"

Cinematographer: Niajea Randolph Dimensions : 28 x 32

Location : Creative Alliance, Baltimore, MD 2022

Video Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cmb6df...

  • "color therapy" | kolpeace (color study in studio performance)

    A Visual Ode To Hip Hop (Westside Boogie) "no sound"

    Cinematographer: Niajea Randolph Dimensions : 28 x 32 Location : Creative Alliance, Baltimore, MD 2022

    Video Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cmb6df...

  •  (results & impact of in studio practice performance)
    (results & impact of in studio practice performance)

"The Process of Restoration" | kolpeace

The Process of Restoration is a performative, engaging process that combines music and visual art together using swift movements similar to "line dancing" and hip hop to create my unique aesthetic of art in motion. It is a combination of musicians, model, and crowd participation and a cinematographer. It is a process to start something in life and feel restorative from that feeling of completion. This was my goal during this moment. The canvas starts off blank and moves through a self reflective process of the person looking at their own path and process to ultimately restore.

Jubilee Arts (Baltimore , MD) 

2020

  • The Process of Restoration | KOLPEACE

"kendrick"performance at Peale Museum | kolpeace

Kendrick
Cinematographer: Niajea Randolph 
Location : The Peale Museum , 
Baltimore, MD
   
​Kendrick Lamar's “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” drops this album in 2022. My mother tells me her favorite track on the album is "Rich Spirit". A week before I am set to perform at the peale I am inspired by the album by an artist to create his portrait surrounded by strangers. My movements are swift , My body feels healthy, and I can hear the people behind me. My friends control my music and record me. I know in my mind my spirit is rich and I only have one shot to create that feeling of inspiration. Do you feel inspired ? Does your spirit feel rich?
   
2022 : The Peale Museum (Baltimore, MD)

"kolpeace" stands for (Kids Only Love Peace), this is a black superhero that creates rapid portraits in the matter of minutes. Fire, spray paint, & sound are just a few engaging artistic/unique tools used by the artist to produce prolific artwork in a performance while captivating audiences within community spaces. You can see more via the arisit website kolpeace.com


Length of each performance : 8 to 14 minutes
Materials : Recylced Wood, Fire , Sword , Spray Paint , Easel , Brush, Acrylic Paint , Stool, Music 

Peformance Location :  Peale Muesum , Baltimore (MD) 

 

  • Kendrick Spirit
    "Kendrick Spirit" Cinematographer: Niajea Randolph Location : The Peale Museum , Baltimore, MD ​Kendrick Lamar's “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” drops this album in 2022. My mother tells me her favorite track on the album is "Rich Spirit". A week before I am set to perform at the peale I am inspired by the album by an artist to create his portrait surrounded by strangers. My movements are swift , My body feels healthy, and I can hear the people behind me. My friends control my music and record me. I know in my mind my spirit is rich and I only have one shot to create that feeling of inspiration. Do you feel inspired ? Does your spirit feel rich? 2022 : The Peale Museum (Baltimore, MD)
  • impact of mesum performance
    impact of mesum performance

    (After Each Performance the work is transformed into a contemporary piece of Art for exhibition )

  • impact of mesum performance
    impact of mesum performance

    cinematographer credit :Niajea Randolph

"Dont Touch Her Hair" Performance Art at Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture

This painting & performative art work symbolizes a passing of my great art friend and sista in creativity Sasha Martoni + Baby Asha @donttouchmy_hair the name of this painting is dedicated to her style of uplifting women of color. Her growth(s) inspired me to push and Tho you're not with us in the natural way your art is , smile is , joy is and laughter always will be remembered. I created this painting live at the Harvey B Gantt Center in Charlotte, NC .

Video Link : https://www.instagram.com/reel/CTKkKxYpUJn/

2022

  • Performance Art at Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
    Performance Art at Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
  • Dont Touch Her Hair (result of performance piece)
    "Dont Touch Her Hair" (result of performance piece)
  • Performance Art at Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
    Performance Art at Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture