Joakim Ojanen creates artworks that work on our emotional constitution. Born in Sweden, Ojanen studied at the Konstfack University College of Arts in Stockholm where he received his masters degree in 2014.

His interest in emotions, comics and cartoons led to the creation of unique figures, resembling sometimes ducks or dogs but often bearing human traits. After mainly sketching and painting his characters on canvas, he started to model them in ceramics. These two techniques are the main part of his artistic work. He often uses a muted, pastel palette for the paintings and sculptures. Lurching between animals, clowns, aliens and children the figures draw the spectator quickly into considerations about his own emotions, childhood, sadness and development. References to sports, music and society are given, mainly by the clothes of his characters.

At first glance coming along as the staff of a comic book at second glance the figures turn out as the staff of a refined emotional laboratory questioning our adult identity and provoking questions we would have not asked ourselves if we hadn’t met these sculptures in personal. Through his figures Joakim Ojanen evokes intense emotions, shows parts of his own which are hard to express or communicate and debates childhood as a prerequisite of humanity.

For his first show with Ruttkowski;68 entitled Anthropocene, the artist shows the whole variety and range of his work. From really small sculptures to a life sized bronze.