Paintings on Canvas
50 works
Johan Deckmann Secrets For Sale
Johan Deckmann
Secrets, 2016
Acrylic paint on repurposed book
12 x 12 x 3 in 30.5 x 30.5 x 7.6 cm
About this work
Johan Deckmann is a Danish artist and psychotherapist whose work merges his understanding of human psychology with a sharp sense of humor. Best known for his text-based paintings on the covers of fictional self-help books, Deckmann uses witty, ironic, and often bittersweet titles to explore the complexities of human behavior and emotion. His minimalist compositions—usually featuring bold, centered typography on solid-colored backgrounds—are deceptively simple, allowing the words themselves to take center stage. Each piece is a distilled observation on life, relationships, ambition, or self-perception, crafted to spark reflection while eliciting a smile. By presenting his art as book covers, Deckmann plays with the idea of guidance and self-improvement, highlighting the absurdity and contradictions in our search for meaning. His work resonates universally, offering bite-sized truths that are as relatable as they are thought-provoking. Through this blend of psychology and art, Deckmann invites viewers to confront themselves with honesty, humor, and a touch of satire
Price on Application
Edition & Provenance
- Year
- 2016
- Medium
- Acrylic paint on repurposed book
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How to Fake Having Found Yourself
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I love you
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I Only Worry About Everything
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I Only Worry About Everything
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I'd Rather Not Help
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Madness
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Overthinking
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What Slowly Kills You
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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.
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.