Here comes another interview with an artist I like: Johan P. Jonsson from Sweden. Johan and I met a few years ago on myspace and now got back in touch again on facebook. Welcome back, Johan! Hope to hear more from you again!
Please introduce yourself:
Johan P. Jonsson. Born 1966 in Luleå, Sweden. Dividing my time between Luleå and a small village outside Skellefteå. I make sculptures.
What is your definition of art?
There is not much that is absolutely wrong, and nothing that is absolutely right. All you can do is question. And you should question everything. And not just once; you should question everything every time. Art is there to make you question. It should present a new perspective so that you come to challange your ingrained opinions…
Why have you become an artist?
Out of necessity. I have a compulsive curiosity and a compulsory need to question. Fifteen years ago I still thought it would pass, that it would go away. It didn’t. And since I don’t believe in just talking I had to find another way to get an outlet for that curiosity… Finally, I also still have that Lego itch you have as a little kid – I like to put things together, with my own hands… Having realized that, it didn’t leave much but being an artist.
What is your favourite artwork of your own and why?
As of now I believe The Que I summons up a few years of work. It’s an overview of what I’ve tried to do for a number of years, both when it comes to form, combination of materials, colours plus when it comes to themes…
How do you work?
I start from the bottom and work my way up.
Who is your favourite artist?
I don’t have one. I accually don’t visit that many exhibitions, I don’t look at art very often. I mainly read about it; I’m more interested in the people behind it, the reasons why they ended up in art, what they think… The liking also changes over time. Over the years I’ve liked Banksy, Beuys, Bill Woodrow, Bacon, Basquiat… and Greta Sandberg.
What is your favourite material to work with and why?
I’m not sure I have a favourite material even though metal is almost always the basis of my work. I’m more interested in combining different materials.
Could you live without making art?
As said: art is the outlet for my curiosity, but I think it works both ways, I believe art is also feeding my lust for exploration. And therefore taking away art would probably deaden my curiosity. And a life without exploration, without being curious is merely surviving, not living… So, I guess that
ends up in a No.
Where can others find you on the web?
All images (c) Johan P. Jonsson
Thanks for the interview, Johan!
Dies ist mein persönliches Blog, auf dem ich alle meine vorherigen Websites zusammengefasst habe. Daher die buntegemischten Themen: Ich führe Bloggespräche und blogge über Persönliches, Digitales und Kulturelles. Ich liebe es, Menschen zu fotografieren und mich mit Kunst zu beschäftigen. Manchmal schreibe ich auch noch was anderes als Blogbeiträge. Für andere bin ich als Wegbegleiterin in Sachen Kommunikation aktiv. Vor allem bin ich aber eins: Ein Mensch!
3 Antworten auf „Artists I like: Johan P. Jonsson“
I discovered the work of Johan recently. Really impressed,
of all those little characters have to say.
Sylvain Goulet
These sculptures are really great and original. I am glad to have seen them. Kudos to Johan for marvelous creations. Art creations are great when they are done with passion.
[…] years ago you have answered my artist questions on https://www.annetteschwindt.de/2009/12/20/artist-i-like-johan-p-jonsson/. Would you reply to any of them differently today? If so, please […]