THE SPACE WE ONCE OCCUPIED
The Space We Once Occupied
An exhibition by Johan Lowie
Faces have long captivated artist Johan Lowie. Whether seated on a train, passing through an airport, or observing quietly from a park bench, he is drawn to subtle expressions—a glance, a furrowed brow, a quiet smile. Just as compelling are the moments of absence: the blank stare, the face marked by physical or emotional pain. For Lowie, these observations are not fleeting. They are internalized and transformed in the studio, where he paints what he has both seen and felt.
“You pass by faces just like you pass portraits in a museum,” Lowie notes. “In that brief moment, can you read something in their face?”
That question is at the heart of The Space We Once Occupied, a deeply personal exhibition that examines the emotional presence of those living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other mental health challenges. Inspired in part by changes he has witnessed among his own peers—where once the conversations centered on aging bodies, they now concern diminishing cognitive clarity—Lowie brings an artist’s eye to the inner lives of individuals whose realities are often misunderstood or silenced.
The exhibition features more than 300 small-scale portraits, 15 mid-sized works, and a large-format painting measuring 55 x 65 inches. All subjects remain anonymous and untitled, allowing viewers to project freely and reflect personally. “It could be you, me, anyone,” Lowie says. “The person still looks the same, but what are the inner workings? There are still many taboos around mental illness. I want this work to spark conversation.”
The Space We Once Occupied was recently exhibited at Frederick’s Side Gallery Art Center, where it prompted meaningful dialogue and emotional responses from viewers. Many shared personal stories about loved ones and their own experiences with mental health. The work was created with support from the Frederick Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, and the artist is currently seeking additional venues to continue sharing the project with new audiences.
Lowie approaches his practice with discipline and resilience. Even during recovery from a life-saving heart transplant, he transformed his hospital room into a makeshift studio, continuing to paint through pain and uncertainty. A full-time artist since 1994, he has also taught and lectured at institutions including Shepherd University (WV), Syracuse University (NY), and arts organizations throughout Maryland.
Originally from Ypres, Belgium, Lowie holds a BFA in Plastic Arts from the Kortrijk Institute of Technology and an MFA in Painting from KASK, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent. His background in commercial art sharpened his technical skillset while reinforcing his drive to pursue more personal, introspective work. Today, he continues to explore the spaces between visibility and vulnerability, presence and perception. As he puts it: “It’s the only thing I can imagine myself doing.”
