Sven H Johansson passed away quickly from a stroke at the age of 55. His life was marked by bipolar disorder and anxiety. “The memorial exhibition has been possible to accomplish a lot thanks to the artist’s wife Gun Johansson’s efforts” writes the art gallery director Pia Thunholm in the preface. She further explains that the art gallery shows the full range of artistry ”… from a self-portrait in his teens to 1991 when he passed away. Despite a prematurely interrupted artistry, he has a large production behind him. ”.

In the mid-60s until the beginning of the 70s, his paintings are characterized by an “… original and bustling fantasy world with fabulous creatures such as Krönarfiskar with harpo strings, colored oxen. Field Marshals and Gustav II Adolf surrounded by stars, medals and patterns that fill the entire surface. The stories have a comic undertone at the same time as they have a cosmic perspective. ”. The artist has an alter ego named Hubert. The imagination expressed in the figure Hubert “… plays the organ in the sky, is crowded between elephants, condemned by the righteous but is eventually redeemed by a sneeze.”

In The Early Oil Paintings, a mythological world emerges, a narrative, characterized by a pastor’s colorism. In the 80s, the creation changes to a more frugal and heartfelt expression with watercolor as the main technique.

At Stockholm University, the authors Ulla and Roland Kindblom presented a 40-p. Essay in 1985 based on an in-depth conversation between them and SHJ entitled A Poet in Color. The two friends of the artist write “SHJ is a rarity in art – can not be placed in a trap. He has not adapted to a manner, a style that is currently walkable. He gives himself – he is himself – in the best sense of the word. “.

The expression that appears in the watercolors is characterized by both natural mystique, spirituality and eroticism. The light also carries a dark undertone of a deep life experience. At the poetry corner at Södertälje City Library, you could sometimes meet him, perhaps looking for his favorite author Harry Martinsson. A source of inspiration for his creation.

Sven H. studied at the art college 1957-62 dept. for decorative painting. Of his public assignments you can see “Altar cabinet with open doors” 15 watercolors, in Brunnsäng, Södertälje, 1982

Source: exhibition catalog quotes: Pia Thunholm, Christer Duke, Ulla and Roland Kindblom. Compiled by Anneli Karlsson.