Owahay (Wallace Johnson) is a conceptual artist who's abstract thinking, fueled by an innate sense of curiosity, and introspective contemplation, creates a desire in him to unlock critical thinking and creative exploration skills in others.

Since the age of 9, his work has been defined by two driving questions: "How does..." and "What if..." He describes himself as, "Skirting the boundary between realities details and the fog of our imaginative dream states. Peering from that slivered boundary at the immense, and rarely explored region, we delightfully bring to light what is often unnoticed in our daily lives."

Owahay comes from a family of successful Painters, Metal Sculptors, Graphic Designers, Engineers, and Textile Artists. He has balanced out his art and social interests with degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science and also teaches Math, Engineering, Computer Science and Robotics. He says, "Many people have a puzzled look when they find out I have a strong Maths and Science background, thinking Art and Science are at opposite ends of the spectrum. But they aren’t, it's all a bubbling foam of ideas, mutating, and constantly evolving towards truth and beauty."

His short stories, poetry, and screen plays focus on the Human emotional condition that effect all demographics of society, while his images convey inner reflections and a call to the viewer to interact with the abstract thoughts within his works.

Since Owahay began publicly sharing his works in 2013, he has won several juried photography awards, has a screenplay filmed, has been published in art magazines, equestrian magazines, and news outlets.

A large percentage of Owahay's time is dedicated toward supporting community arts programs, local youth athletics, teaching, and charities.

Experiences

COMMUNITY is more than a word, it's the interwoven collection of our individual fears, dreams, desires, and love. We all yearn for a connectedness, a happiness, a sense of being. Socially conscious, my time, resources, and a portion of every work is purposefully put towards building futures for our youth, helping those in need, and establishing an inner peace.

:: Member :: 

South Carolina Press Association - Member

Waxhaw County Arts Council (501.C3) - President

Carolina Screenwriters - President

Lancaster County Arts Council - Member

National Trust for Historical Preservation

:: Awards ::

Red Rose Festival Juried Contest

Mecklenburg Hounds, Inc.

:: Selected Group Exhibits :: 

Novant Health

McDowell Arts Center

Historic Springs House

Maxwell’s

:: Magazines ::
Mississippi Crow

The Carolinas Equestrian

Covertside

:: Contributor ::

Roots & Recall - South Carolina Historical Preservation

:: Newspapers ::

The Lancaster News

Carolina Gateway

The Fort Mill Times

The Herald - Rock Hill

:: Videos ::
2Hounds2Heroes2Horses (Charity)

Backpack Boyz, Co-Writer/Script Producer-Supervisor (web series)

:: Donated Works ::

Pineville County Arts Council

Lancaster County Arts Council

Waxhaw Arts Council

Turning Point (Union County)

Mecklenburg Hounds, Inc.

South Pointe High School

Indian Land High School

Indian Land Middle School

2Hounds2Heroes2Horses

:: Assignments ::

Big Freedia

South Carolina State Robotics Championships

O’Neill Sweetwater Pro-Am

The Cure - Charlotte

Herndon - Lebel Memorial Surf Contest

Duran Duran - Charlotte

Bootleggers Ball Gala - Lancaster County Arts Council

South Carolina State High School Soccer championships

South Carolina State High School Track & Field Competition

Moulin Rouge Gala - Lancaster County Arts Council

Ashby (on movie set 2014)

South Carolina State High School Football Championship

Mid-Atlantic Regional Surfing Championships

Icebox Open Surf Contest

Queen’s Cup Steeplechase

Equestrian Events and Foxhunting

All work copyright © Owahay 2015 - 2023
Artwork is not for resale or commercial use.
Please contact me if you are interested in selling or licensing.
This artwork may not be reproduced in any way without express written permission.