Anderson Johnson (1915 - 1998)

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Anderson Johnson was a resident of Newport News, Virginia. Born in 1915 to a sharecropping family. Anderson heard the voice of God as a youngster. Anderson was called into the ministry when he was sixteen years old. He preached mostly on streetcorners in several locations throughout the United States before he finally settled down in Newport News.

Faith Mission, the converted first floor of Anderson's house in Newport News, was created by Anderson soon after he had an accident which caused partial paralysis. Kown for his quick wit,  Reverend Johnson was a visitor once asked  why there were only three chairs in Faith Mission for his congregation, Anderson quickly replied "Most times that's three too many !". 

Anderson created scores of paintings and papered the walls of Faith Mission with them. His favorite images were the faces of women, which he would create out of plywood, cardboard or particle board. 

Anderson's work has been exhibited countless times and can be found in many permanent collections including the St. James Place Folk Art Museum and the  Asheville Art Museum . Pieces larger  than 12" x 12" are especially rare and hard to find.  Anderson  passed away in 1998.

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