Guy Hepner Gallery

Johan Deckmann How To Continue With You Bad Habit For Sale

Johan Deckmann
Johan Deckmann - How To Continue With You Bad Habit, 2026, Acrylic on Book

How To Continue With You Bad Habit, 2026

Acrylic on Book

11 3/4 x 8 5/8 in

About this work

Johan Deckmann has established himself as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary conceptual art, building an international following through his singular fusion of literary form and painted intervention. Trained as both a psychotherapist and visual artist, Deckmann brings a rare dual perspective to his practice, creating works that operate at the intersection of self-help culture, human psychology, and wry social observation. His pieces are held in private collections across Europe and North America, with consistent demand at auction reflecting sustained collector interest in his conceptually rigorous yet immediately accessible approach. How To Continue With Your Bad Habit presents a hardcover book transformed into painted canvas, its surface rendered in Deckmann's characteristic style that mimics the familiar visual language of mid-century self-improvement literature. The title, spelled out in bold typography against a muted ground, delivers the artist's trademark deadpan humor, subverting the earnest promise of behavioral change that defines the self-help genre. Rather than offering redemption or transformation, the work acknowledges with disarming honesty the cyclical nature of human behavior and our complicated relationship with personal growth. The book format itself becomes charged with meaning, suggesting accumulated wisdom while simultaneously undermining it. At eleven and three-quarter by eight and five-eighths inches, the work possesses an intimate scale that invites close viewing and quiet contemplation. The acrylic application demonstrates Deckmann's refined technique, achieving the precise aesthetic of vintage publishing while maintaining the unmistakable presence of a painted object. For acquisition inquiries regarding this work by Johan Deckmann, please contact Guy Hepner directly.

Price on Application

Edition & Provenance

Year
2026
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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How To Continue With You Bad Habit

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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