Mapping Manhattan by Emma Johnson

Word up map enthusiasts! TAG Fine Arts is delighted to offer stunning new maps of New York by the remarkable artist Emma Johnson. Working with original vintage Manhattan maps including: Esso - Metropolitan New York (1941), Hagstrom Visitors Map of New York City (1961) and Mobil Metropolitan New York City (1964 & 1966), Johnson explores the fragmented, multifaceted nature of memory and history of this unique city. An entirely new series, the artist has been obsessively collecting maps of New York, which she has deconstructed and recombined in response to her personal experience through time. Johnson cuts multiple paths and layers into each piece, transforming the maps from functional objects into evocative personal journeys. Visually compelling in their complexity, these works could possibly be interpreted as a metaphor for our continued need to communicate and pin down the streams of information that characterize our daily lives. Speaking about the new series, Emma told us that "At first I found them quite difficult as the grid structure of the road layout is so rigid in Manhattan - I am more accustomed to the chaotic European road structure - but I hope I am getting the hang of it!" We certainly think so and are delighted to be exhibiting these maps here in New York in the coming Spring. For further information and details on availability, please contact Diana. 

Manhattan Transit (2014), dissected paper maps (6 Layers), 67cm x 50cm 

Image Courtesy of the Artist and TAG Fine Arts

Metropolitan (2014), dissected paper maps (3 layers), 46cm x 39cm

Image of Courtesy of the Artist and TAG Fine Arts