GET TO KNOW THE ARTISTS IN OUR LOVE EXHIBITION
Our latest exhibition, LOVE, brings together contemporary artists alongside and in conversation with iconic established names, to explore topics such as self-love and narcissism. Our accompanying interview series finds out what and who the artists themselves adore.
Danish artist Johannes Holt Iversen’s artworks investigate the representation of light, shadow, and matter. A former apprentice of Danish painter and sculptor Erik Rytter, Iversen’s works can be abstract at times but are always related to a real-world counterpart, often suggested by materials like chrome pigments from the car manufacturing industry.
What does the word “love” mean to you?
Love is a powerful word. It has such an impact on how we deal with each other. I cannot think of love without also thinking of compassion these days. I guess the current foreign affairs with the world situation calls for love and compassion towards each other.
Where does your interest in art come from?
What’s the biggest learning experience you’ve had?
Commencing my art academy years by myself without much funding. I mostly worked on selling my sketches and drawings during my studies (after school hours) to keep financing my tuition fees and enrollment to the art academy. Ironically, I finished off my graduation during the Covid-19 pandemic where the art system almost collapsed as no exhibitions could run – even graduation shows were banned. I am indeed a self-made man, and no one can take away my pride in pulling off such a charismatic effort to build my artistic career – it came with a price that evidently builds sharp edges and character to a man, but the learning curve and experience must be the biggest I've had so far.
Who is your favourite artist?
I have a handful. I can always come up with my "dead heroes trio"; Asger Jorn, Edvard Munch and Pablo Picasso.
What’s inspiring you in life right now?
At the moment I am really digging into the thought of prehistoric cave art not necessarily being created by humans, but by other stems such as the Neanderthals or sub-species to the homo sapiens. It kind of triggers a curiosity to play around with the "what if..." situation that humans haven't been the ones giving birth to artistic creation. But merely are inspired by efforts made by another species.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
Do not listen to anybody. Search for answers within, always keep your eyes and ears open for critique however. Be careful following doctrines made by older artists. They only want to consolidate their own cultural and societal power, gained during their own lifetime. Be careful following in the footsteps of same generation artists too. Think for yourself. You might easily walk into a trend that only lasts a decade if you are not aware of your feelings and actions.
What project are you currently working on?
It’s a new series of works named the "Chauvet" series. It is sort of taking a step even further back into the history of mankind than my "Lascaux" series.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
I love movies. It is sort of a visual and emotional starting point for a lot of my works. Nothing sets the tone or embraces a mood like a well made and instructed movie.
What’s the one talent you wish you had?
Tough question. I would say either to play the sexy saxophone, so I could wander around playing "Careless Whisper" in sincere awkward moments, such as standing in line for boarding the plane, waiting for a meal at McDonald’s or just kill the music at a nightclub and play cheesy licks until someone agrees with it. Now that is true love, finding a like-minded soul who likes your cheesy taste in music.
What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
Buying a 16-year-old van haha. It has been an adventure driving it to the mechanic every third month. Seriously though, the most adventurous thing I have done was when I was studying in Amsterdam and had the chance to travel every now and then. Sometimes just jumping on the train to Paris without having a plan for the day, just to take in the experiences from both capitals. It was magical.
