World of One is about internal conflicts. It explores the parts of ourselves that are always at odds with each other, and how our character rises from these conflicts. Sometimes we're happy, sometimes we're sad, sometimes we're both at exactly the same time.
These images project such thoughts and emotions into the environment.
These pictures are inspired by western philosophies, but are composed to look more like Chinese battle scroll paintings. This mimics the artist's experience as a minority in America. Thinking like American on the inside, but still seen as an Asian on the outside.
The Whisper (2012)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24″ x 41 1/8″ | edition of 5 + 1 AP
This shot was inspired by how it's so hard to take your own advice.
This image marks a turning point in this series. Before this piece, the story and concept behind each image were really more of an afterthought. Visuals came first. After this image, a much greater focus on what message the image is expressing starts to take place.
Instillation view: How the art lives in a collector's home.
Narcissus (2012)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 44 5/16" | edition of 5 + 1 AP
Inspired by the greek myth of Narcissus. Photographed at the Christian Science Center in Boston, MA. This image most directly confronts one of the central themes of this series: "How do you see yourself?"
Hide and Seek (2012)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Positives 24" x 41 1/4" | edition of 5
Inspired by the feeling of trying to remember something. Shot on slide film for more vibrant colors.
Invictus (2013)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 43" | edition of 5
Inspired by the feeling of standing out in a crowd.
Battle of the Johnnys (2013)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 41" | edition of 5
How it feels to be conflicted with yourself.
The Stranger (2013)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 45" | edition of 5
How it feels to be alone in a crowd.
School of Cambridge (2013)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 38 7/8" | edition of 5
How it feels to be alone in a crowd.
Diligentia (2013)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 47 3/4" | edition of 5
How it feels to walk towards the unknown.
Odysseus' Rock (2013)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 39 7/8" | edition of 5
How it feels to be broke, surrounded by success.
Instillation view: Exhibited at Pearl River Mart, 2019.
Paradox of Choice (2013)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 42 7/16" | edition of 5
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." - Soren Kierkegaard
Diligentia II (2013)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 40" | edition of 5
Walking towards the unknown, but doubting yourself.
Hopeful Despair (2013)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 42" | edition of 5
What it truly means to have hope.
Creative Destruction (2013)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 120" | edition of 3 + 1 AP
How it feels to be torn between the desire to create and destroy.
Instillation View: Hung with magnets and on view at Pearl River Mart, 2019.
Glory of Shame (2014)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 41 5/8" | edition of 5
How it feels to be a loveable loser.
Illusions of Progress (2014)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 42 7/16" | edition of 5
Progress is not a circle, it is a spiral staircase.
A Waking Dream (2014)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24" x 43 3/8" | edition of 5
We are not running in circles, we are climbing a spiral staircase.
Commodum (2014)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24" x 40 7/8" | edition of 5
Sometimes, you just have to help yourself.
NSA (2014)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24" x 43 5/8" | edition of 5
Inspired by the Edward Snowdan case. Big Brother is always listening.
Pleasures of Pain (2015)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24″ x 47 3/4″ | edition of 5
There's something painfully beautiful about self sabotage.
Grounded Ambitions (2015)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24” x 41 1/4” | edition of 5
Reach for the skies, but keep your feet (or head) on the ground.
Fortuna (2015)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24” x 39 7/16” | edition of 5
Somedays, it's hard to know which parts of yourself to help first.
Memento Mori (2015)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24" x 47 1/8” | edition of 5
Contemplating loss.
Fearful Courage (2016)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24" x 41” | edition of 5
The only time we can be brave is when we are afraid.
Migrant Shores (2016)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24" x 46” | edition of 5
We learn about most tragedies through social media. Is this a good or a bad thing?
Shinobi No Kame (2016)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24” x 40 7/16” | edition of 5
Inspired by Gordan Parks' iconicThe Invisible Mancollaboration with writer Ralph Ellison, and Ninja Turtles.
Narcissus II (2017)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24” x 40 7/16” | edition of 5
How do you want to see yourself?
Chasing Magritte (2018)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24” x 47 5/8” | edition of 5
When in doubt, just rip off Magritte.
the Offering (2018)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24” x 41 9/16” | edition of 5
Inspired by the Offering, by James Jean.
Feeling Numb (2018)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24” x 49 1/8” | edition of 5
Only by accepting discomfort, will you be comfortable everywhere.
Tao (2018)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24” x 46 5/16” | edition of 5
What is the way things should be?
Installation view: At an artist talk for theCounter Weightexhibition in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Death of Narcissus (2019)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24” x 40 5/16” | edition of 5
Death of Narcissus is a homage to Hippolyte Bayard's Self-Portrait as a Drowned Man, one of Johnny's favorite early photographs (and one of the world's first selfies!).
Hippolyte Bayard is a pioneer and inventor of photography in who lived in 19th century France. But he was was overlooked by the French Academy of Sciences in favor of his rival Louis Daguerre, who was both a better salesman and better connected. In response, Bayard sent the Academy members copies of Self-Portrait as a Drowned Man in protest. This might sounds tame by today's standards, but it's actually a big fuck you to the academy. You see, Daguerre's process could only produce a single copy of an image. If you wanted two copies, you'd have to photograph the same photo twice. But Bayard's process was able to produce multiple copies.
Johnny used Bayard's image as the inspiration for the themes and composition of Death of Narcissus, while adding a personal twist on it. Johnny titled this piece with the reference to Narcissus, to tie it in with his other reflection based self-portraits in theWorld of One. Also because in some versions of the myth, Narcissus dies by suicide.
The World is Watching (2020)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24” x 41 3/4” | edition of 5
Shot in May 2020, just as New York was emerging from the first series of lockdowns. This image reflects how the artist felt the world was judging the US during that period of time.
Stand Together (2021)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24” x 35 1/2” | edition of 5
In America, Asians are known as the “Model Minority.” But growing up here, Johnny has always looked at how society treats black people as the real “Model Minority.” Because there ain't shit they can do to us, that hasn't been done to them. With this piece, Johnny wanted to show support for the struggle, and to say that “Even if your back is against the wall, I stand with you.”
Memento Mori II (2021)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24” x 41 3/16” | edition of 5
Grieving during the pandemic was the worst. Being unable to hug our loved ones while they are in pain is a unique kind of hell.
Resisto (2021)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24” x 41 3/16” | edition of 5
“How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.” - Henry David Thoreau
Divine Comedy (2024)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 52 13/16" | edition of 5
Because God's laughing at us.
The Comedian (2024)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 40 1/2" | edition of 5
The whole of life is absurd.
Perditus (2024)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 42 13/16" | edition of 5
Destroyed, ruined, wasted, squandered, lost.
Arrakis (2024)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 44" | edition of 5
"My Arrakis. My Dune." - Vladimir Harkonnen
Ego Death (2024)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives 24" x 45" | edition of 5
Death is required for rebirth.
Samsara (2024)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24" x 46 1/2" | edition of 5
It's beautiful to be human.
Catharsis (2024)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives36" x 67" | edition of 3
Catharsis completes a trilogy of pictures centered around the theme of catharsis. In ancient Greece it was believed that the purpose of theater is to make the audience laugh and cry. Because experiencing the extremes of human emotion cleanses and purges the soul. This image specifically explores how we ignore our feelings. How we can laugh and smile on the outside, even when we're rotting on the inside.
Anxious Leisure (2025)
- Giclée Print from 35mm Negatives24" x 44" | edition of 5
What every group project feels like.
Tech Notes
These images are all shot on 35mm film, then scanned and digitally minipulated. This is done with the intention of making this dreamlike world more believable.
Images are listed at exhibition size, with instillation photos in the details wherever available. Small and medium sized prints are also available in the following sizes/dimensions:
Small: 11" x 14"edition of 15
Medium: Various Heights x 24" widthedition of 10
Please reach out by email to info@johnnytangphoto for all questions/concerns/sales information.