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.

SOLO 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

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2025

KALEIDOSCOPE | AISHO | Hong Kong

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

COLLECTIONS

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