About Dystin Johnson Art

  “I’m a storyteller - without stories we have no empathy. The world is an increasingly complex and often baffling, polemic place; my practice using the simplicity of geometric abstraction is for me, the purest form communication. I prefer to decipher life rather than imitate it.”

Dystin completed her BA Degree in Fine Art at the University of Creative Arts where in 2025. Her fascination with Modernism, particularly abstraction, has led to a continuing practice exploring the world through the lens of Geometric Expression through painting and sculpture.

Dystin enjoyed a successful 35 year career as a professional actor, writer and director for stage, television, film and theatre. She now coaches adult novice and professional actors with The Actor’s Lounge Acting School. In 2025 she was asked to join the Board of Directors at Beach Creative CiC, a community arts hub in Herne Bay, Kent which she relished for a year before moving on to create her own company, East Kent Ensemble committed to developing artists, strengthening communities through performance and culture.

Education

• Fine Art BA Degree
  University for Creative Arts, 2025
• Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
  University for Creative Arts, 2019

Group Exhibitions

• Graduate Degree Show

University for Creative Arts, 2025

•       ‘Chair’
Beach Creative, 2024

• ‘International Women’s Day”

Beach Creative, 2024

• Sarah Baulsch Gallery
  2024
• ‘Artgig’
  The Brewery Tap, 2023
• ‘Here, Now’
  Swale Media Arts Centre, 2023
• ‘7 Walls’
  Beach Creative, 2023
• ‘Journey’
  Canterbury Cathedral Lodge, 2023
• ‘Reclaim the Narrative’
  Turner Contemporary, 2021
• Foundation Graduation Show
  University for Creative Arts, 2019

Professional Experience

2026 - Founder and Director of East Kent Ensemble Ltd

2026 - Artistic Director of 'My Hair & Me' Performance festival at The Sarah Baulch Gallery

2025 - Director of Strategy, Board of Directors, Beach Creative CiC, Herne Bay

2025 - Working Groups Coordinator, Beach Creative Arts Hub CiC, Herne Bay

2022 - UCA’s Cultural Ambassadors Tutor, Beach Creative CiC, Herne Bay

2019/20 - SEN support for National Saturday Arts Club.