Stephen Johnston was born in 1987 in Co.Antrim, Ireland. In 2010 he graduated with a BA in Fine and Applied Arts from University of Ulster in Belfast.

Just after graduating Johnston had his first major solo show Perceptions, Art Tank. Belfast, Northern Ireland (2011). Johnston has enjoyed early success in his career winning various awards including; The De Veres Art Award, The Towry Award- best from Northern Ireland at the NOAC and The KPMG Young Artist Award. Johnston paints full time from his studio in Ireland. He has exhibited work in Belfast, Dublin, London, including the Saatchi Gallery. He  exhibits in Paris and in Brisbane Australia. Johnston also often exhibits at various international open Academy exhibitions,competition and group shows.

Johnston’s work is held in numerous private art collections around the world. He has been award the SIAP Award and had work acquired publicly by the Northern Ireland Arts Council. Johnston has also completed a portrait commission for Queens University that is currently hanging as part of their esteemed collection in the ‘great hall’.