Artist and Psychotherapist Johan Deckmann
Interview with Johan Deckmann
I could not be more proud and excited to share our last interview of the decade, with one of our favourite artists, Johan Deckmann a Danish artist, practicing psychotherapist and author, whose works examine the complications of life through witty covers of fictional “self-help” books.
One of the most powerful aspects of Deckmann’s works is that every reader can relate to at least one them on a highly personal level, regardless of what cultural background, gender or age group. Titles such as “How to disappoint and just keep disappointing – Disappointment made easy” can resonate with anyone, but instead of remaining sinister, the work is made humorous by using the same language that you might find on a cook book or instruction kit. “How to burn out instead of fade away” might be most fitting for people that live in big cities under pressure, and, perhaps: “How to keep doing the same old mistakes and expect a different result” could be considered the most universally human of all one-liners.
Your greatest inspirations or influences?
I am not directly inspired by a specific artist. Also, there are not so many text-based artists. I’m very fascinated by Louise Bourgeois, her forms, textures and psychological depth. I love Sam Haskin’s photographs of women from the 1960’s and 1970’s and the illustrations of John Alcorn. So, it’s not really artist who relate to my own work.
Most interesting response to your work you've heard so far?
When my followers kindly write me and tell me how my works actually have changed their perspective on life. Every man-made thing on earth is a product of a thought. That’s why it makes the most sense to me to work with the human mind, both as an artist and as a psychotherapist
Favourite creatives, websites or social media handles?
I like Nitch and Larry’s List on Instagram. I also follow and support many talented contemporary artists on Instagram and I love to discover new ones. On YouTube i currently watch h3h3Productions, some PewDiePie and I listen to a lot of Mndsgn, Miles Davis and indie folk while working.
And then I love allmusic.com.
What do you think is going to change the most in 2020?
Hard to say. The prophets died long ago. But they spoke of a new world order. Maybe it’s 2020? At least I know that I will be launching several new series and my first collab with another artist.
Anything else?
I’m not the self-destructive kind of artist. I don’t have a need for that. I live healthy, I run and exercise. I like to keep my mind clear. I see life as the most precious gift ever given to anyone, so I intend to extend my journey as far as possible and give as much as I can along the way.
Thank you Johan, wishing you a very happy 2020! His works have been exhibited around the world since he began the series in 2015, including Charlottenborg in Copenhagen, two shows in New York and Museum Arp in Germany.
Johan Deckmann is currently represented by Pablo’s Birthday Gallery and Guy Hepner Gallery in New York City.
