We are pleased to present Susanne Johansson’s seventh solo exhibition in the gallery In A Room Within Susanne Johansson presents new paintings with two parallel themes: nature and portrait.

The nature is depicted in an organic, fragmentary form of painting in which the recognizable meets the improvised. The subjects are taken from a nearby surrounding but are aiming inwards, towards a room within.

In a series of portraits Johansson approaches ancient sculptures in a muted, reduced tonality. These immortalized faces in stone are given new life, light and presence, through painting. Time and distance is condensed to a mutual and compelling present.

A Room Within deals with thoughts and feelings of loss, grief, a sense of belonging, absence and fear, but also the possibility of hope. In her paintings Johansson finds an expression that contains multiple and sometimes contradictory interpretations.

There is a someone by the window
looking inwards
The shadows of the trees
a framework around the house
the roof weighed down by
a tender light
a surrounding green splendor
and the quick shifting
of darkness and light
She is bearing that house
with the strength of her thoughts
with her eyes
and her distressed hands
Outside time is calling at the gate
and growing like leaves of grass on the road

A room within time
a room within the room which is time
outside words and flakes of fire
are continuosly swirling down.

(From the notebook of Susanne Johansson)

Susanne Johansson was born 1969 in Stråkanäs in the north of Sweden. She now lives in Uppsala. She studied at the Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm (1992-1997). Selected exhibitions: Hellvi Kännungs, Gotland (2014), Galleri Magnus Karlsson (2012, 2009, 2007, 2004, 2002 & 1999), Volta NY, New York, Fred [London] (2011), Fred [London] (2010), Konsthallen/Kulturens Hus, Luleå (2007), Feigen Contemporary New York (2006), Prague Biennale 2 (2005), M'ARS Center for Contemporary Art, Moscow (2005).

Opening Reception Thursday February 19, 5–8 pm.