Joakim Ojanen


Born 1985 in Västerås, Sweden. Currently lives and works in Stockholm.

Ojanen entered into the arts through graffiti through which led him to use animation programs and make short movies and music videos. He also pursued drawing, publishing fanzines and organizing art shows.

These endeavours led to his BA for Illustration and Graphic Design in 2012 from Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts and Design, as well as his MFA in 2014 thereafter. Seeking a new creative outlet apart from illustrations, Ojanen signed up for a ceramics open studio session outside of school. It was during these sessions that he started to make sculptures from his drawings. Since then, he has exhibited widely from Stockholm to Los Angeles, Cologne and Paris, Edinburgh, Belgium and New York.

Ojanen's works feature a variety of unique characters. Many of the motifs are based on his home country and living environment where Ojanen grew up. At first glance, the artist's deep emotions and sensations are directly reflected in original expressions that seem innocent, such as raw textures and expressive characters that can be seen in sculptures and paintings, and unique color sense that puts them together.

In recent years, his expression has extended to include various materials such as bronze, glass as well as ceramics, and all works have been united into high-level expressions that emphasize the affinity between materials and expressions. Regardless of the material, Ojanen's advanced technology and creativity are clearly visible.

1985 年出生於瑞典韋斯特羅斯。 目前在斯德哥爾摩生活和工作。

Ojanen透過塗鴉踏上藝術之路,由此他製作動畫、短片和音樂影片,繼而繪畫、出版同人誌及策展。

Ojanen 於 2012 年在瑞典國立藝術工藝設計大學獲得插畫及平面設計學士學位,並於 2014 年在同校取得其藝術碩士。在學期間,Ojanen報名參加了校外陶瓷工作室,並以此為契機開始以自己的畫作為藍本製作雕塑。 時至今日,他的作品於斯德哥爾摩、洛杉磯、科隆、巴黎、愛丁堡、比利時和紐約等地廣泛展出。

Ojanen 的作品具有各種獨特的人物特徵。 許多圖案都是基於他的國家和成長時的生活環境。 觀眾可以從對作品的第一眼中,感受到藝術家在看似天真和原始的創作表達中,埋藏着深厚的情感和觸覺。例如在雕塑和繪畫中我們可以看到原始紋理和富有表現力的角色,以及將它們組合在一起的獨特色彩組合。

近年來,他的表現手法擴展到青銅、玻璃、陶瓷等多種材料,所有作品都統一為高層次的表現手法,強調材料與表現的親和力。 無論材質如何,Ojanen 的精妙技術和創意都清晰可見。


PREVIOUS EXHIBITIONS

  • 2023
    Circle of Life | AISHONANZUKA | Hong Kong

    2022
    We've Danced For A While Now And I'm Slowly Learning Your Steps | Nanzuka Underground | Tokyo, Japan

    2021
    The Part You Throw Away | Västerås Konstmuseum, Västerås, Sweden
    The Part You Throw Away | The Hole | New York, NY

    2020
    A show for the lonely distant baby souls | Richard Heller Gallery | Santa Monica, CA
    Drawing Attention | Larsen Warner | Stockholm, Sweden

    2019
    Second meeting is always a bit tricky, last time was so spontaneous and easy, now there’s all these expectations and I’m not so good with social responsibility | Ruttkowski;68 | Paris, France
    Snakebite | The Hole | Los Angeles, CA

    2018
    Where do we go from here? | Larsen Warner | Stockholm, Sweden
    Year of the Dog | Richard Heller Gallery | Santa Monica, CA

    2017
    Anthropocene | Ruttkowski;68 | Cologne, Germany
    Interrupted Boredom | | Galerie Lefebvre & fils | Paris, France

    2016
    What a Time to be Alive :( | Richard Heller Gallery | Santa Monica, CA

  • 2023
    The Cuteness Factor | Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art | Budapest, Hungary
    Art Unlocked | Side X Side Gallery | San Francisco, CA
    Storage Wars | The Hole | Los Angeles, CA
    Assemble! | Nanzuka 2G | Tokyo, Japan
    Into the Vortex | The Pit | Palm Springs, CA
    Online Exclusive: | End to End Gallery | Hollywood, FL
    Mixed Pickles 12 | Ruttkowski;68 | New York, NY

    2022
    Universes 5 | The Hole | New York, NY
    Kick Off | Die Horia | Athens, Greece
    The Iconic Edition | Lorin Gallery | Los Angeles, CA
    New Construction | The Hole | Los Angeles, CA

    2021
    Hollywood Road | AISHONANZUKA| Hong Kong
    WOP | WOAW Gallery | Hong Kong
    Mixed Pickles 10 | Ruttkowski;68 | Cologne, Germany

    2020
    10 YEARS RUTTKOWSKI;68 | Ruttkowski;68 | Cologne, Germany
    HYBRIDS | CFHILL | Stockholm, Sweden
    Extra Time | PLUS-ONE Gallery | Antwerp, Belgium
    BLM Fundraiser | The Hole
    Mixed Pickles 7 – The Ghost Edition | Ruttkowski;68 | Cologne, Germany
    Friends Non Show | Dio Horia | Athens, Greece

    2019
    Paper View | The Hole | New York, NY
    Carry On | The Hole | Basel, Switzerland
    Clayborn | Galerie Lefebvre & fils | Paris, France

    2018
    Mixed Pickles 4 | Ruttkowski;68 | Cologne, Germany
    Rue Charlot | Ruttkowski;68 | Paris, France
    The Ashtray Show | Fisher Parrish Gallery | Brooklyn, NY
    Aftermath | Setareh Gallery | Düsseldorf, Germany
    Lust, Laughter & Liquor | PLUS-ONE Gallery | Antwerp, Belgium
    Clay Today | The Hole | New York, NY
    A Tree Falls in the Woods | FMLY, Hashimoto Contemporary | San Francisco, CA

    2017
    Beheaded | Richard Heller Gallery | Santa Monica, CA
    Jump Ball | Dio Horia | Athens, Greece
    Joakim Ojanen and Ryan Travis Christian | The Hole | New York, NY
    Eyes, Nose, Lips, Etc. Etc. | Left Field | San Luis Obispo, CA
    Figurative Futures | 101/EXHIBIT | West Hollywood, CA
    Morph | Asya Geisberg Gallery | New York, NY

    2016
    Mixed Pickles 1 | Ruttkowski;68 | Cologne, Germany
    Booby Trap | The Hole | New York, NY

  • Colección Solo | Madrid, Spain

    Statens Konstråd (Public Art Agency Sweden)

    Västerås Art Museum | Sweden

    Åberg Museum | Bålsta, Sweden

    Frans Masereel Centrum | Belgium

    The City of Gothenburg | Sweden

    The City of Linköping | Sweden

    The City of Eskilstuna | Sweden

    The City of Östersund | Sweden

    The City of Katrineholm | Sweden

    County Council of Gävleborg | Sweden

    Värmdö municipality

    The Ryerson & Burnham Libraries | Art Institute of Chicago, US

    Beth Rudin DeWoody Collection | The Bunker Artspace | West Palm Beach, FL