"I've Seen It All On TV"
at Galerie Susanne zander, Cologne
9. November 2012 - 19. January 2013
Daniel Johnston, the youngest of five children, is born on January 22nd, 1961 in Sacramento, California. From early on he reveals an extraordinary artistic talent, which others around him often find disconcerting. He records his thoughts and impressions in the privacy of his room on a $59 Sanyo Boombox. He shoots homemade films that reflect his recurring fears and desires, often impersonating his mother and mimicking her expressions and gestures. His parents soon realize that their son is different. He begins to draws dozens of comics. His mother believes there are satanic messages in his pictures and drawings and disapproves of his artistry.
Johnston spends time as a student in art college and as a hot dog vendor in a traveling circus. He records music with the Butthole Surfers and experiences a sudden surge of popularity in 1992 when Kurt Cobain attends the MTV award show wearing a T-shirt with the cover image of his "Hi How Are You" LP. A number of concerts and a steadily growing fan base follow. But his manic-depressive predisposition and drug experiments gone haywire repeatedly interrupt a promising career. Daniel Johnston increasingly shies away from the limelight.
In 2005 filmmaker Jeff Feuerzeig completes his documentary "The Devil and Daniel Johnston", a deeply touching tribute the enigmatic figure of Johnston. The musician and all-round-talent still currently enjoys a high reputation in the independent music scene with celebrity admirers such as David Bowie, Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo or Matt Groening. He currently lives in Waller, Texas.
