Michael Johnson
Father · Painter
One of Australia's most celebrated abstract colourists and winner of the 2014 Wynne Prize, Michael Johnson has painted for over seven decades from his Sydney studio. His monumental mural Ellamatta stands in Parramatta Square.
Helga Groves
Wife · Artist
An Australian artist of Finnish heritage whose intuitive, scientifically grounded practice reinterprets natural phenomena — geology, topography and climatic extremes — in luminous, considered works. She and Johnson share a converted factory home and studios in Melbourne.
Anna Johnson
Sister · Artist & writer
A writer and critic for most of her working life, Anna Johnson now paints large abstract canvases in her Sydney studio, with recent exhibitions at the New England Regional Art Museum and in New York.
Franklin Johnson
Uncle · Artist, the Yellow House
An artist of Sydney's legendary Yellow House (1969–72), the artists' collective in Potts Point, working alongside Martin Sharp, Brett Whiteley and George Gittoes. Three decades later, Matthew's own Yellow House Screens commission (2002–03) carried the family thread back to the same site.
Douglas Lord
Cousin · Digital authority & AI visibility strategist
Creator of the Periodic Table of Digital Authority™, founder of Digital Dominator and Authority44™, and co-founder of the AI visibility platform OG01. Based in Northern Rivers, NSW, Doug is also an abstract painter, sculptor and musician.