Guy Hepner Gallery

Johan Deckmann Fake Finding Yourself For Sale

Johan Deckmann
Johan Deckmann - Fake Finding Yourself, 2025, Acrylic on Book

Fake Finding Yourself, 2025

Acrylic on Book

11 3/4 x 8 5/8 in 30 x 22 cm

About this work

Johan Deckmann has established himself as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary conceptual art, bridging his dual practice as a psychotherapist and visual artist to create works that probe the complexities of modern existence. His signature book-based paintings have garnered significant international attention, with collectors drawn to his incisive wit and unflinching examination of self-deception, anxiety, and the human condition. Deckmann's work occupies a unique position at the intersection of text-based art and pop sensibility, earning him comparisons to practitioners like Ed Ruscha while remaining wholly original in approach. "Fake Finding Yourself" exemplifies the Danish artist's ability to distill psychological insight into pointed, often darkly humorous visual statements. Executed in acrylic on book, the piece belongs to his ongoing series of fictional self-help titles—works that function simultaneously as painting, sculpture, and cultural critique. The title itself speaks to contemporary preoccupations with authenticity and self-discovery, skewering the performative aspects of personal growth culture that Deckmann encounters in both his artistic and therapeutic practices. The intimate scale of the work invites close engagement, creating a private dialogue between viewer and object. At 30 x 22 cm, the piece maintains the compact dimensionality that has become characteristic of Deckmann's book works, reinforcing the object's identity as something meant to be held and read rather than merely observed. His works have demonstrated consistent demand among collectors seeking art that combines intellectual substance with accessible visual appeal. For acquisition inquiries regarding this work, please contact Guy Hepner.

Price on Application

Edition & Provenance

Year
2025
Medium
Acrylic on Book

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More series by Johan Deckmann

About the Book Wall Pieces Series

Johan Deckmann's Book Wall Pieces series represents a distinctive exploration of language, psychology, and contemporary anxieties rendered through mixed media assemblage. Each work incorporates salvaged books and textual elements, transforming literary fragments into visual statements that resonate with collectors seeking conceptually rigorous, socially engaged art.

The series, which includes iconic pieces such as The Ultimate Guide to Overthinking, Finding Yourself, and All the Things I Never Say, examines modern emotional landscapes with wit and depth. Deckmann's strategic use of typography and material repurposing elevates everyday anxieties into compelling artistic commentary, appealing to collectors drawn to thought-provoking work with accessible conceptual frameworks.

This body of work has gained significant traction within contemporary art markets, particularly among collectors valuing sustainability and narrative-driven practice. The series demonstrates Deckmann's maturation as a conceptual artist while maintaining strong visual impact suitable for both residential and commercial collections.

Works from the Book Wall Pieces series are available for purchase. Please enquire for current availability and pricing.

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Fake Finding Yourself

About Johan Deckmann

Johan Deckmann is a Danish artist based in Copenhagen, where he also works as a practicing psychotherapist and author. He has been creating paintings and sculptures since the 1990s, though the body of work he is best known for, a series of imaginary self-help books, first appeared in 2014.

Deckmann sources old book covers, records, suitcases, and boxes from second-hand shops, then paints invented titles and silhouetted figures directly onto them. The results resemble vintage self-help guides from the 1960s and 70s, using muted tones and worn textures to give each piece a sense of history. His background in psychotherapy and music composition informs his approach to language, favoring short, pointed phrases that compress complex emotions into a single line. The titles range from wry to unexpectedly tender, and their directness allows them to resonate across different audiences regardless of background.

Deckmann has described his work as a way of applying the same instinct he uses in therapy, to find language that gets to the core of a feeling, to visual art instead. His pieces have been shown internationally, including in Copenhagen, Rome, Amsterdam, New York, and Miami, and have built a substantial following online, where his book pieces are widely shared and recognized.

Guy Hepner works with collectors seeking Johan Deckmann's witty, text-driven self-help book paintings. Contact us to discuss available inventory or to inquire about upcoming releases.

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