With his personal palette, the works of Johan Nobell seem to represent an alternative reality. He had his breakthrough in the 1990’s with surrealistic and narrative paintings. His paintings conveyed peculiar landscapes, inhabited by strange beings. His naïve, almost cartoonish-like way of painting, stood in stark contrast with the underlying threats posed by the odd creatures, and these contrasting elements created a vibrant relationship between form and content. Furthermore, the pastel colors added to the impression of dreamlike worlds. More recently, Johan Nobell’s work has focused on a more abstract figuration.

I think of painting as a craft where different approaches to tradition become important. I try to find common ground in opposing expressions.
– Johan Nobell

Johan Nobell, born 1963 in Gammelgarn, currently lives and works in Stockholm. Johan Nobell is educated at the Valand Academy of Fine Arts, University of Gothenburg.

Johan Nobell's work has been shown at Neuberger Museum of Art, New York; Zola/Liberman Gallery, Chicago; Stephane Simoens, Knokke; Pierogi Gallery, New York; Bendixen Gallery, Copenhagen; Galleri Arnstedt, Östra Karup; Galleri Hammarén, Gothenburg; Museum Dhondt Dhaenens, Gent; Daniel Weinberg Gallery, Los Angeles; Gallery OMR, Mexico City; Andréhn-Schiptjenko, Stockholm; Skövde konsthall; and Uddevalla konsthall, among others.

Johan Nobell has received grants from Swedish Arts Grants Committee, The American Scandinavian Society Award; Helge Ax:son Johnson’s Foundation; IASPIS New York; Längmanska Kulturfonden; Otto and Charlotte Mannheimers Foundation, among others.

Johan Nobell's work is in the permanent collection of the Public Art Agency Sweden; Stockholm Läns Landsting; Sveriges Riksdag; Stockholm konst; Region Skåne; Uppsala Kommun; Umeå kommun; Gävle Kommun; Kulturenheten Uppsala; and Norrköping Kommun, among others. Johan Nobell has worked with public commissions for Stockholm and Gothenburg city.