Copenhagen-based Artist, Psychotherapist, and Author, Johan Deckmann produces work that delves into the complexities of life, through amusing and wittily fabricated book titles that are painted onto fictional self-help books and canvases. Deckmann’s art presents us with a hybrid between paintings, poetry, and psychology. Recognizing the immense capability of language in both therapy and art, Deckmann’s work forces the viewer to self-reflect. “I use the strengths from both of my fields, both creatively and intellectually to create a synergy that I would not otherwise be able to develop”.
Johan Deckmann's psychological background and practice is fundamental and central to his work, inspiring and providing the content, and furthermore, serving as a steady reminder of personal responsibility. A remarkable feature of Deckmann‘s work is the relatability of the titles, regardless of gender, cultural background or age. Rather than solely presenting the sinister aspects, some of his works are made playful by adopting language that you may find on an instruction kit. Deckmann argues that for him, “humor is an essential characteristic if you want to stay, not only sane but also happy. Humor is somehow the instrument of the light-hearted.” The connection between his work, psychology, and his life is rational and thought out. The works reflect his perception of life with all its beauty, humor, fear, meaning and lack of meaning, but most importantly, he showcases ruthless honesty.
“My work is a portrait of modern human behavior and self-sabotage, but my underlying motive is to mirror my audience and motivate change. I think my work resonates with people because many people in the modern world are raised to believe that they are victims of their surroundings. I show through my works that they are not”.
Though many of his works are humorous, Deckmann is still able to highlight and draw attention to the irony and tragic nature of our daily lives and what we often do to ourselves. These works aim to entertain yet also bring awareness and stimulate the imagination of the viewer. "The right words can be like good medicine. I want my works to be like mirrors. When you look at them you might not like what you see, but like in a mirror, you now get the awareness and the chance to change something. Like little personal reminders disguised as art".
As a psychotherapist Deckmann's main focus is on the ability to change people’s way of thinking for the better. "Every happiness, every misery, every good and bad deed on earth is a result of a thought. I can’t imagine a work area more important than this. That’s what drives me and I use art as my platform rather than my practice because I find that people are more receptive and less judging in a gallery than in a therapeutic session". Deckmann believes in the simple power and beauty of words, that they can cut through our layers just as well as figurative, sculptural, abstract and any other kind of art. He aims for the heart of his viewers and their ability to reason over their habits and choices that he believes determine their future. "I think that the art world is a perfect place to create awareness and this awareness just might lead to a better wellbeing. Every day I meet people who blame bad habits when there are only bad decisions. We must reconsider the glasses that we have been given by our parents and by society, because we perceive the world and ourselves through these glasses. Make sure to see clearly".
Johan Deckmann’s studio is located in central Copenhagen next to Tivoli Gardens and Carlsberg.
His works have been exhibited around the world including Kunsthal Charlottenborg and Galleri Benoni in Copenhagen, Daniel Arsham’s Arsham Fieg Gallery, Pablo’s Birthday and Guy Hepner in New York, MAKI Gallery in Tokyo, Phillips Auctions and Rhodes Contemporary Art in London, White Noise Gallery in Rome, Vanzak Gallery in São Paulo, G/ART/EN in Como, Badr El Jundi Gallery in Marbella, Museum Arp in Germany, Galerie Mighela Shama in Geneva, Shins Gallery in Bangkok, The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands, Art Museum Villa Zanders in Germany and was represented by The Gervasuti Foundation during The Venice Biennale 2022 Johan is a part of the public art collection Colección SOLO in Madrid.
Johan has exhibited alongside David Hockney, Tracey Emin, Nam June Paik, KAWS, Banksy, Damien Hirst, Keith Haring, Danny Fox among others. Selected publications: Forbes, Financial Times, Vogue, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, The Guardian, The Independent, Xibtmag, The Art Georgeous, Contemporary Art Collectors and many others. Selected media reposts: Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Jay Shetty, Kourtney Kardashian, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Saatchi Gallery, Larry’s List.
Johan Deckmann is featured in 'LOVE /lʌv/' a group exhibition curated by Dynamisk for Loughran Gallery at Kiklo Spaces.