Longtime Portland art scenester Todd Johnson is launching his new photographic gallery Black Box, adding something new to the Lower Burnside enclave across from the Doug Fir.



Johnson has been one of Portland's most talented independent curators (he may possess the scene's dryest and darkest wit) and as a photographer himself has shown numerous times with Augen Gallery. Since the closure of Quality Pictures the city has lacked a commercial venue more or less dedicated to edgy contemporary photography so this fills a critical niche for Portland's large # of talented shooters. Yes, Black Box will soon represent a stable of shooters but to kick off the gallery Todd is looking for submissions to an Open Walls exhibition. Normally I wouldn't suggest a show with a fee but Johnson can be counted on to do tight serious shows and it might be a good foot in the door. Hint, if your work truly stretches the boundaries and stereotypes of photography you should get to know Todd.