Johan Wahlstrom, born 1959 Stockholm, Sweden

“My work focuses on the human condition and political landscape, especially in the context of this difficult and interesting moment in history through which we are all living.”

Johan Wahlstrom is a Swedish artist with a fascinating background and an impactful career. Before becoming known for his visual art, he spent years as a rock musician, which has given his paintings a unique intensity and depth.

His work is hard to miss—bold colors and abstract, often distorted figures draw you in, inviting you to think deeply about themes like identity, power, and what it means to be human. Johan’s art doesn’t just decorate walls; it starts conversations and makes you feel.

Over the years, Johan has achieved a lot. He’s had solo exhibitions in prestigious spots like the Walter Wickiser Gallery in New York, the Galleri GKM in Malmö and the Museum of Modern Art in Passau, Germany. His work has also been part of major group shows at places like the National Arts Club in New York and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

His art has been featured in well-known galleries and fairs, including Gallery 825 in Los Angeles, Galleria Ca' d'Oro in Miami, and the famous Art Basel. Plus, his pieces are in several private and public collections, including the Absolut Art Collection, which shows just how far his influence reaches.

Johan's work has also caught the eye of critics and been featured in art publications like ArtNews, Juxtapoz, and ArtForum. He’s picked up several awards along the way, like the Best of Show at the Palm Springs Art Fair and the Special Recognition Award at the Manhattan Arts International's Healing Power of Art Exhibition.

What makes Johan special is how he blends his past experiences and artistic talent to create work that really resonates. He’s always pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas, making his art a powerful commentary on modern life. With his dedication and innovative spirit, Johan Wahlstrom has become a significant and influential figure in contemporary art, continuing to grow and inspire in the art community.

Johan’s will be exhibiting his work from early November to early Decembe 2024 at Galerie Eric W Landau in Paris, France. The show is focused figurative black and white paintings based on scenes from famous movies from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s with a twist of our society of today. It will also include four paintings based on Eugene De LaCroix's painting "La Liberté guidant le peuple" as a reflection on what's going on in the political wolrd in Europe and in the US.