Timothy Johnston is a multidisciplinary artist drawing inspiration from the beautiful Australian landscape in his work.
The ooGee Australia x Timothy Johnston Art Series Collection is a new collaborative project celebrating the beauty of nature and art through a series of gorgeous hats. We spoke to Timothy about his experiences as an artist, and what inspired him to join this exciting collaboration.
How did you break into the art scene?
I’ve always known I was an artist. Even as a child, I was constantly trying to capture the beauty I saw around me, just like the artists I admired. Between the ages of 7 to 14, I was lucky enough to paint under the guidance of Max Watters OAM in the Hunter Valley.
In my twenties and thirties, I made a few attempts to go full-time, but the real turning point came when my business partner offered to help me and gave me the confidence to take that leap.
Since then, I have been a national finalist in the 2017 Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize, spent time in Los Angeles collaborating with Charlotte Piho (a multi-award-winning photographer), and had my artwork projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House for World Ocean Day 2021. That experience—watching a painting of the Great Barrier Reef light up one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks—was surreal.
How does the Australian landscape inspire your work?
The Australian landscape is everything to me. It’s not just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing subject in my work. I’m constantly inspired by the contrast between the vast, sun-bleached deserts and the intricate ecosystems of our coral reefs. That duality—the stillness of red earth and the movement of ocean tides—has become a signature theme in my painting.
There’s also a fragility in these environments. And that fragility drives a sense of urgency in my work. We need to protect our precious land, to ensure it continues to thrive.
Is there a particular landscape that has drawn your attention most of all?
The Great Barrier Reef, in particular, holds a special place in my heart. It’s Australia’s crown jewel, and I’m constantly trying to capture it through layering—building textures and hues that change depending on the viewer’s perspective, much like the reef itself.
I’ve painted the reef from every angle—often from above—because I find that aerial perspective so powerful. One of my most meaningful pieces, Wistari Reef, was inspired by a 1970s photograph taken by Valerie Taylor during a six-month dive trip. That artwork later appeared on the sails of the Sydney Opera House for World Ocean Day.
Why did you choose to collaborate with ooGee hats?
When ooGee approached me about a collaboration, it felt like the most natural partnership ever. Like my paintings, ooGee’s hats are inspired by the land. The collaboration allowed us to embed my artwork directly into pieces that move with people – on their travels, hikes, everyday journeys. It’s wearable storytelling. It’s art with a life beyond the gallery wall.
Even more meaningful is ooGee’s commitment to giving proceeds from the Art Series Collection to Taronga’s pioneering Reef Recovery Program. As someone who has spent years painting and advocating for marine conservation through CollaborOCEANS, it means the world to know that our creative work is directly contributing to safeguarding the reef’s future. That’s the kind of partnership I want to be part of.
And on a practical level—these hats are seriously well made. Locally crafted, UPF50+ protective, adjustable, durable, and beautifully detailed. They’re the kind of item you treasure because you know what went into it.
Was it challenging bringing your art to a new medium? What were the highlights of this project?
It was a new kind of challenge, but a deeply rewarding one. As an artist, I’m used to layering paint over days or weeks on large-scale canvases. Translating that kind of work into a three-dimensional, functional object like a hat was something I hadn’t done before. But I loved every step of the process.
ooGee’s craftsmanship made that transition seamless. Their team understood how to honour the spirit of the artworks while making each piece wearable, practical, and beautifully made.
The TJSH Art Series range contributes to marine conservation. Why is this an important cause for you?
In 2019, I was fortunate to spend time in Los Angeles collaborating with Charlotte Piho, a multi-award-winning nature photographer. We were both passionate about illuminating the beauty and value of marine life, and together we created eight large-scale paintings of green sea turtles and migrating humpback whales. That project changed something in me. It wasn’t just about capturing what I saw—it became about protecting what I loved.
That experience led me to found CollaborOCEANS, a creative collective of artists, athletes, and leaders dedicated to ocean conservation. We bring together influential people who use their platform to inspire action.
One of our most meaningful milestones was the Youth Ocean Carnival, co-created with Youth Patron and visionary Olympian, Sam Fricker. In 2024, we brought together 33 secondary schools at Luna Park Sydney for an immersive conservation experience. Students heard from young change-makers about the small, everyday actions that can drive real environmental impact.
What does the theme ‘desert to reef, under one sun’ mean to you?
I love this theme because it captures the breadth, contrast, and unity of the Australian landscape. From the ochres of the outback to the shifting blues of the reef, this country holds extraordinary beauty. But what binds it all together is the sun—our constant companion and, at times, our greatest challenge.
‘Under one sun’ also speaks to the human connection we all share through the outdoors. These hats are made for movement, for exploring the very places that inspire my work. And they’re also a reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting this beautiful planet.
What do you hope customers will take away from this collection?
I hope they see more than just a hat. I hope they see a story—a celebration of Australia’s natural beauty, and a reminder of our role in preserving it.
I want customers to feel proud to wear something that’s not only beautiful, but purposeful. Because when you wear an ooGee x TJSH hat, you’re not just protecting yourself from the sun. You’re standing for something bigger.
For your chance to win one of two ooGee Australia x Timothy Johnston Art Series Collection hats, click here.
