Johan Deckmann (b. 1976) lives and works in Copenhagen. As both an artist and practising psychotherapist, Deckmann takes found objects, namely books and paints with titles or pensive phrases which provide satirical commentary on the complexities of life. Deckmann’s psychological background directly informs his artistic practice, which incorporates universally relatable fears and commonly experienced trials and tribulations. While seemingly modest in form, the artist’s works employ the power of language to their full extent—albeit in a playful manner—pushing viewers towards self-reflection.
As both an artist and practising psychotherapist, Deckmann received his education at the Copenhagen Graphic School, Copenhagen (1994) and the Danish Institute of Psychotherapy, Copenhagen (2007). Recent solo exhibitions include The Art of Not Falling Apart, Galerie Mighela Shama, Geneva (2021); You May Not Want To Hear This, MAKI Gallery [Tennoz], Tokyo (2021); Johan Deckmann, Galerie SOON, Zurich (2021). Deckmann has participated in several group exhibitions internationally, including Bibliomania – Das Buch in der Kunst, Kunstmuseum Villa Zanders, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany (2022); He aprendido que tienes que rezar por lo que no conoces, Sala Amós Salvador, Logroño, Spain (2022); Restoration: Now or Never, public art exhibition, SaveArtSpace, London (2021); Paper | Work, Rhodes Contemporary Art, London (2021). Deckmann’s work is also part of the public art collection Colección SOLO in Madrid.