Johns' figurative pieces began to appear around nineteen eighty eight. He wanted to develop his work in new directions. Remaining in one area of development which has brought success is too safe an approach for a sculptor. He has been particularly interested in developing a sense of figuration which feels Australian. To achieve this Johns has drawn on many sources including the Australian landscape, Australian Aboriginal Art, European figurative sculpture and my own drawing practice. The notion of hybridity in these forms attracts Johns – it also reflects the cultural forces, old and new, which shape this place.