Johan Bloom

Artist Biography

Born 1964 in Sweden, and growing up in Southern Africa between Botswana and Mozambique,   Johan Bloom’s work combines moderate Scandinavian colours with a strong vibrant African pallet. His work is a dynamic balance between north and south, history and contemporary life, rock carvings and the digital world. His artistic journey which in the has main evolved through self-discovery and through the influence of teachers like Naguib and Malangatana in developing his visual language. His work is greatly enriched by travels in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe and he is in constant search for contemporary, multi-faceted and multi-cultural expressions that mirrors the world we live in.

His approach involves working in series to unfold a concept or an idea. When Johan is not studio bound, he works on art projects of various kinds.  His artistic contributions are mainly focused on the promotion of free-thinking and instigating multiculturalism. These art projects are often run through schools and public spaces.

Johan has exhibited extensively, both in solo and group shows and has participated and developed various art projects.

Education

2015 – Master of yachts, 200gt limited

2006 – Marine biology 1term, Gothenburg university

1994-99 – BEd. (Art and craft), University of Gothenburg.

1992 – Skippers diploma. Class 8

1985 – KV Artschool, 1 year pre-University

1984 – Social Anthropology 1 term, Gothenburg University

Selected Exhibitions

2015

• The Art State, Galerie NOKO, Port Elizabeth.
• No Caveat – Gallery Noko, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

2013

• EU Commission Brussels, Charlemange building (solo)
• Scandic Opalen Hotel, Göteborg (solo)
• Gallery Havshotellet

2012

13 Gallery Rådhusgatan 7,  Marstrand

2011

• 14 Open studios Easter, yearly solo exhibition
• 14 Gallery Koch, Stenungsund Konstvandringen
• Vitlycke Museum (solo)
• Gallery FRI (solo)
• Gallery Leva, Visby. Exhibition and trash-art workshop (solo)
• Gallery Överby, Stockholm (solo)

2010

• Artfair, Copenhagen (solo)
• Gallery Hogia, Stenungsund (solo)

2009

• Stockholm Artfair, Kista (solo)
• Gallery Backlund, Gothenburg (solo)
• Gallery Södra hamnen 31, Tjörn (solo)
• Gallery FRI, Skärhamn (solo, twice)
• Frisläppt, Konstrea Outdoor exhibition at Tjörns Trädgårdar ( nursery)
• Gallery Minimal, Särö

2008

• Gallery Sundsby Säteri, Tjörn
• Municipality gallery, Tjörn

2007

Frisläppt; 3 ICA grocerystores, Tjörn

2006

• Municipality building, Gothenburg (solo)
• Borealis art association Gallery Stenungsund (solo)
• Uddevalla Artmuseum/ Bohussalongen

2005

• 06 Säbylund konstgård (solo)
• Gallery LL, Tjörn
• Gallery Viktoria, Gothenburg

2004

05 Gallery Cosmopolitan, Gothenburg (solo)

2005

Gallery Traktoren, Gothenburg (solo)

2001

• Artmuseum, Oskarshamn
• Gallery Fenix, Gothenburg

2000

01 Gallery Forum, Oskarshamn

1989

• National Gallery, Botswana
• Standard bank Gallery, Zimbabwe

1988

Nucleo de arte, Mozambique

1993

Gallery Apart, Stockholm (solo)

1992

Artmuseum, Gothenburg/Decembersalong

Projects and workshops

2014

15  Artbike/frihjul ,Tjörn. One of three project managers.

2012

• 14 Big draw festival, 3 annual public Workshops at the Nordic Watercolour museum
• 14 Angeläget/Amnesty. Art on human rights. Workshops in secondary schools.

2013

• 14 Teckna är stort, Nordic Watercolour museum. Drawing as method of learning.
• Three different schools

2011

• Kulturstorm, Stenungsunds municipality
• Kulturnatta, Culture night. Stenungsund och Kungsbacka, solo show

2012

15 Skapande skola, Art in schools.  Tjörns-, Uddevalla-,Gothenburg, Kungsbacka municipality

2012 -14

Trash-Art Workshops. For schools, challenged children and teambuilding.

2012

• UCT, Gymnasiet Tjörn
• FIS, frisläppt i skolan

2011

• Göteborgs Municipality: Divercity unit. Workshop and exhibition.
• Integrate the Swedes! Gothenburg municipality building
• Konst-taxin, Mobile gallery.
• Frisläppt,Konst på oväntad plats, Tjörn.

2010

Frisläppt Youth project: workshop and exhibition, gallery Fri

2009

Kulturstorm Stenungsund 2009

2008 – 15

Gallery/studio FRI. Owner and manager since 2008

Public Art

2014

Skansvägen, Skärhamn, Tjörn: 100m2 wall painting + 150m2 ”linedrawing” on tarmac.

2014

Skärhamn School. 15m2 wall Painting.

2014

Fridas Hage School, Tjörn. Canteen and outdoor theatre. 25m2 wall painting

2013

UCT gymnasium, Tjörn. Wallpainting 2x6meter

2011

Uddevalla Hospital. 10 paintings in the reception area