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
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2023
Circle of Life | AISHONANZUKA | Hong Kong2022
We've Danced For A While Now And I'm Slowly Learning Your Steps | Nanzuka Underground | Tokyo, Japan2021
The Part You Throw Away | Västerås Konstmuseum, Västerås, Sweden
The Part You Throw Away | The Hole | New York, NY2020
A show for the lonely distant baby souls | Richard Heller Gallery | Santa Monica, CA
Drawing Attention | Larsen Warner | Stockholm, Sweden2019
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, CA2018
Where do we go from here? | Larsen Warner | Stockholm, Sweden
Year of the Dog | Richard Heller Gallery | Santa Monica, CA2017
Anthropocene | Ruttkowski;68 | Cologne, Germany
Interrupted Boredom | | Galerie Lefebvre & fils | Paris, France2016
What a Time to be Alive :( | Richard Heller Gallery | Santa Monica, CA -
2025
KALEIDOSCOPE | AISHO | Hong Kong2023
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, NY2022
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, CA2021
Hollywood Road | AISHONANZUKA| Hong Kong
WOP | WOAW Gallery | Hong Kong
Mixed Pickles 10 | Ruttkowski;68 | Cologne, Germany2020
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, Greece2019
Paper View | The Hole | New York, NY
Carry On | The Hole | Basel, Switzerland
Clayborn | Galerie Lefebvre & fils | Paris, France2018
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, CA2017
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, NY2016
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