Johan Thurfjell »Liminal«

Johan Thurfjell’s work combines everyday observations with myths and mysticism with which he builds up his own distinctive poetic symbolism. Regardless of his choice of material or technique Thurfjell’s sculptures, paintings, video works and installations show a visible enjoyment and dexterity in his handcraft.

In Liminal shoes shift restlessly behind a curtain, conveying a vaguely comic, mildly threatening presence between this room and another.

The narrative that permeates Thurfjell’s new works touches on the universal appeal of that we cannot see, that we cannot touch. The most existential musings, such as those about life and death, are manifested in different cultures and eras in various forms as myths, rituals and symbols. These ruminations could be seen as an attempt to reach from our reality to a possible other, that which can be jointly described as the afterlife.

Johan Thurfjell was born in 1970 in Solna. He currently lives and works in Tullgarn, Sweden. In collaboration with this year’s Market Art Fair the artist is participating in the group exhibition Splendid Silent Sun in Vällingby Centrum. This summer Thurfjell will exhibit at PAX, St:a Annas kapell, Trosa lands kyrka. Solo exhibitions include Kunstverein Springhornhof, Neuenkirchen (2020), Konstnärshuset, Stockholm (2019), Judiska Museet c/o Tyska kyrkan, Stockholm (2017), Uppsala Konstmuseum and Eskilstuna Konstmuseum (2011), Magasin III Stockholm Konsthall (2007), Färgfabriken in Stockholm (2004) and Index in Stockholm (2001). Recent group exhibitions include the 14th Small Sculpture Triennial, Fellbach (2019), Borås International Sculpture Biennale, Borås (2018), Traces of Existence, Jewish Museum c/o German Church, Stockholm (2017), If you tell me a story you add more, Galerie der Künstler, München and Espace Mira, Porto (2016, 2015), Suecia Contemporare, Uppsala Konstmuseum (2015), OSL Contemporary, Oslo (2013) and Thrice upon a time, Magasin 3, Stockholm (2010).