Jasper Johns' 'Something Resembling Truth' at The Broad explores painting's meaning through conceptual strategies.

From February 10 to May 13, 2018, The Broad in Los Angeles hosted the exhibition 'Something Resembling Truth,' which showcased a thematic overview of Jasper Johns's art. This event, organized by the Royal Academy of Art in London, marked its only appearance in the U.S. The exhibition emphasized Johns's innovative techniques in painting, such as irony, reticence, and quotation, which question the meaning-making process in art. Featured works included the Catenary series from 1997-2003, first publicly displayed in 2005 at Johns's debut solo show with Matthew Marks Gallery. Earlier pieces like The Seasons from 1985-86 explore philosophical ideas, while the 1997 work Bridge exemplifies his use of common imagery to impose meaning on reality. The exhibition underscored Johns's role as a deliberate conceptual artist, reflecting on the evolving purpose of painting amidst contemporary artistic uncertainties. His longstanding relationship with dealer Leo Castelli adds depth to his career narrative.