The Active Space celebrates the grand opening of its new gallery space with an artist’s reception for “Dreaming Without Sleeping,” works by Criminy Johnson | QRST. February 24, 2012, 7-10 PM. Curated by Robin Grearson.

“Dreaming Without Sleeping” allows viewers to glimpse the artist’s view of our waking world: a bent, slightly pessimistic and occasionally hostile place populated by animals and people who are often reluctant to be interrupted by the viewer.

Criminy Johnson creates oil paintings that depict slightly familiar worlds, and while working out these ideas, he often makes wheatpastes that relate to these subjects or environments in some way. Many people are familiar with Criminy’s style but may have seen it outside of a gallery setting. And QRST fans might be discovering Criminy Johnson’s paintings for the first time. At Bushwick’s The Active Space, Johnson will have the opportunity to showcase both styles.

Exclusively for the grand opening, the artist has created a limited number of one-of-a-kind drawings that will be available to visitors on a first-come, first-serve basis.