Video interview produced by Printer' Proof in connection with the exhibition Leave Me Breathless at Ole Vinter Room.
Filmed March 2023.
Jóhan Martin Christiansen (b. Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands,1987) is currently working and living in Copenhagen, Denmark. He graduated (MFA) from Malmö Art Academy in 2014. In 2023/24 he took part of the year-long interdisciplinary course Of Public Interest at the Royal Institute of Fine Arts in Stockholm.
In 2023 Christiansen founded the artis run project space Bonne Espérance.
How to handle a material, and how materials are handled within a specific context – physically, emotionally and philosophically – are among the questions that he pose in his practice. A practice including media such as installation, plasterreliefs, printmaking and video. In the materiality, forms and titles of the pieces, small deltas of meanings and connotations appear referring to natural and constructed environments, urban spaces and situations, language and translation, queer body experiences as well as the baroque and pop music.
Upcoming exhibitions and projects
2025 I Am With U, Spanien19C, Aarhus, Denmark (solo, March)
Solo and duo exhibitions
2024 Jeppe Sleeping, Bonne Espérance, Copenhagen, Denmark (solo)
DOUBLE, duo show with Kaare Golles, Kongegaarden, Korsør, Denmark
RELIEF, Kohta, Helsinki, Finland (solo)
2023 Don't tell me 'cause it hurts, The Smoking Room, Hoydalar, Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands (solo)
Leave Me Breathless, Danske Grafikeres Hus, Copenhagen, Denmark (solo)
Leave Me Breathless, Ole Vinter Room, Printer's Proof, Copenhagen, Denmark (solo)
2022 FALL, Víngarðurin, Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands (solo)
You are a flower, and in the winter, I miss You, Heerz Tooya, Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria (solo)
Du er en blomst, og om vinteren savner jeg dig, Galleri 1,4m3, Copenhagen, Denmark (solo)
tell me more, tell me more, FLAG project, North Atlantic House, Copenhagen, Denmark
2021 Tell It To My Heart, Steinprent, Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands
2020 Speaking in Tongues, Møstings Hus, Copenhagen, Denmark (duo with Hansina Iversen)
2018 Lonely Hearts, Listahøllin, Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands (duo with Hansina Iversen)
Commissioned work for Glasir, gymnasium in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands
2017 SPOR [TRACES], North Atlantic House, Copenhagen, Denmark (solo)
DISH, Katuaq, Nuuk, Greenland (solo)
2016 SPOR [TRACES], National Gallery of the Faroe Islands (solo)
2014 DRESS, Steinprent, Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands
LIGHTGREEN, DAYDREAM, EYESHADOW, KHM Gallery, Malmö, Sweden (MFA show)
2012 Crazy, Zig-Zag ~ About the Understanding of Space and on the Matters of My
Latest Lover, R, HENNINGSENgallery, Copenhagen, Denmark (solo)
Walk, Walk, "Object This Picture"-project room, Copenhagen, Denmark
2011 Self-Portrait in Very Dark, FIFTH FLOOR, Copenhagen, Denmark (solo)
Sarah Lucas Turned into a Large Scale Dildo and a Flamingo, sitespecific window installation on
Istedgade 107, Copenhagen, Denmark
2009 Koloni Box, Müllers Pakkhús, Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands
Group exhibitions
2024 Træðrir [Threads], National Gallery of the Faroe Islands (group show)
SAMMENBRUD [COLLAPSE], Ved Skoven, Falster, Denmark (curated by CharlotteThrane)
Fog Swept Cargo, Scandinavia House, New York City, USA (curated by Kinna Poulsen)
Likam [Body], The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands
2023 Myndir í trúnni [Faith and Image], The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands
St. Olaf's Exhibition, The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands
óSTILT, Víngarðurin, Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands
2022-24 Down Иorth - North Atlantic Triennal, Portland Museum of Art, Maine, US,
Reykjavík Museum of Art, Iceland and Bildmuseet, Umeå, Sweden
2022 BROT - Faroese Contemporary, The National Gallery of theFaroe Islands
SKITSER TIL EN DRØM, MUUSMANNs, Copenhagen, Denmark
2021 Nature in Transition - Shifting Identities, Nordic House, Reykjavík, Iceland
2020 Samrøður um mjørka [Conversations About Fog], North Atlantic House, Copenhagen, Denmark
2019 Always Coming Home, G! festival, Syðrugøta, the Faroe Islands
VideoVideo, Tårnrummet, Nikolaj Kunsthal, Copenhagen, Denmark
Half angel. Do you see, FLAG, a collaboration between Gudrun Hasle and Nuuk Art Museum
2018 Materiality and Nature II, G! festival, Syðrugøta, the Faroe Islands
Resonans, Pop-Up Contemporary, Copenhagen, Denmark
Cast Away, Galleri Tom Christoffersen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Face of Another, Galleri Susanne Ottesen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Objektivitet, Ringsted Galleriet, Ringsted, Denmark
Vibrant Matter, SAK kunstbygning, Svendborg, Denmark
2017 Materiality and Nature I, G! festival, Syðrugøta, the Faroe Islands
2016 Sjá tú blánar, Steinprent, Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands
Rainfall, Goya Curtain, Tokyo, Japan
2015 The Hot Show, Galleri Nicolai Wallner, Copenhagen, Denmark
[UDEN TITEL 15], Kunsthal NORD, Aalborg, Denmark
Group show, Galleri Arnstedt, Östra Karup, Sweden
Les Soirées, Maison MACA, Athens, Greece
2014 UNDERSTRØM [UNDERCURRENT], ARoS, Aarhus, Denmark
FAREWELL, 427, Riga, Latvia
A Retrospective About Jan Bäcklund, Toves, Copenhagen, Denmark
2013 PoemObject, ANNAELLEGALLERY, Stockholm, Sweden
/ti’tano/, Teatro Titano, San Marino, Republique of San Marino
BEERS 4, Byens Kro, Copenhagen, Denmark
2012 Dear Gertrud, Pleasant, Copenhagen, Denmark
BFA Graduation Show, KHM Gallery, Malmö, Sweden
2011 Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen, Denmark
2010 SommerSkulpturSøby, Søby, Ærø, Denmark
2009 Authentic Forgeries, KHM Gallery, Malmö, Sweden
Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen, Denmark
2005-2021 St. Olaf's Exhibition, National Gallery of the Faroe Islands
Artist books
2023 CONVERSATIONS WITH MAMMA, poem by Beinir Bergsson and image of copper etching Leave Me
Breathless (Sebastian), published on the occation of the exhibition Leave Me Breathless at Danske
Grafikers Hus, Copenhagen
2018 Lonely Hearts, with text by Kinna Poulsen and letters by Hansina Iversen and
Jóhan Martin Christiansen, layout by Svanna Højgaard Joensen, photos by
Torben Eskerod
2014 DRESS, with texts by Kinna Poulsen and Maria Bordorff, correspondance by
Rannva Kunoy and Jóhan Martin Christiansen, layout and publishing John Dalsgaard
Selected articles, interviews and mentions
(click on text for links)
2024 Stór lítil framsýning um tráð og trá, review by Kinna Poulsen on the exhibition Threads,
Listaportal.com, September 7th
Now, music, by Kristian Vistrup Madsen, exhibition essay, Kohta, Helsinki
“Something else that remains unknown”, by Maša Tomšič, exhibition essay, Bonne Espérance
Fog Swept Cargo, by Kinna Poulsen, exhibition article, Scandinavia House, NYC, USA
2023 Dupult, ivasamt, øvugt og fleirtýtt, article/review by Kinna Poulsen, Listaportal.com, June 19th
Kultureliten vill inte låtsas om Norrland, review by Gunilla Brordrej, Expressen, June 18th
Jóhan Martin Christiansen: Leave Me Breathless, by Kinna Poulsen, exhibition essay
2022 Down Иorth - Environment: Glacier and Land text by Markús Þór Andrésson, exhibiton catalogue
Stál - Blómur - Gips - Poesi, interview with Kinna Poulsen, Dimmalætting
BROT / Leyst um list, review by Kinna Poulsen, Dimmalætting
2021 Conversations About Fog, text by Kinna Poulsen, exhibition catalogue
Ídnaðarkend og kensluborin list í Steinprenti, review by Solveig Hanusardóttir Olsen, Dimmalætting
Sjónminni, article (in Faroese) by Kinna Poulsen, Listaportal, February 18
2020 If we speak in tonguees, will anyone understand, interview with Hansina Iversen,
Jóhan Martin Christiansen and Theodor Eli Dam Olsen, I DO ART, December 20th
Der sker noget mod nord, Mai Misfeldt, Kristeligt Dagblad, November 18th
A Decade, Viewed from the Outside, article by Anders Kreuger, Kunstkritikk
2018 Resonance, article by Anna Holm, exhibition catalouge, Pop-Up Contemporary, Copenhagen
Når livet gir deg sitroner, Mariann Enge, Kunstkritikk, March 6th
Vibrant Matter, text by Nanna Stjernholm Jepsen & Stine Kähler, exhibition catalogue
On the wints of art again, article by Ingrid Bjarnastein, Atlantic Review
2017 Flygtige bevægelser, Torben Weirup, Berlingske, June 8th
Om vi alle er nordiske, er noen da mer nordiske enn andre?, article by Mariann Enge, Kunstkritikk
Dish! om udstilling et sted**, Stine Lundberg Hansen, Kunst.gl
2016 SPOR [TRACES], articles by Nils Ohrt, Kim Simonsen and Maria Kappel Blegvad, exhibition
catalogue, National Gallery of the Faroe Islands
Værkstedsbesøg - Skønheden i en beskidt papkasse, interview by Tina Kristensen, Magasinet
Kunst, Copenhagen
Ti spørgsmål: Jóhan Martin Christiansen, Maria Bordorff, Kunstkritikk, September 9th
Grindin: Blæur eru vorðin list, interview by Ivan Niclasen and Sissal Kampmann on KVF (Television
of the Faroe Islands)
Julekalender 4. december: Maria Bordorff, Kunstkritikk
2015 Vad konst ska vara, review by Christine Antaya, Helsingborgs Dagblad, May 9th
Söka essensen i ursprunget, review by Martin Hägg, Omkonst.com
[UDEN TITEL 15], text by Henrik Borch-Lips, exhibition catalogue, Kunsthal Nord
Ung energi hos Nicolai Wallner, review by Bente Scavenius, Børsen, January 9th
2014 Grindin, interview by Ivan Niclasen on KVF (Television of the Faroe Islands), October 16th
Ny kunst langsomt på trapperne, review by Ole Bak Jakobsen, kunsten.nu
In a Perpetuate Transformation, article by Olga Zolin & Kell Johan Frimor, Kopenhagen
Goethe, Rimbaud, Stravinsky, article by Torben Zenth, Kopenhagen
Nya Konstnärer i Malmö, article by Frans Josef Petersson, Kunstkritikk
Ethereal Thoughts on the Shadow and Such Matters, MFA essay by Jóhan Martin Christiansen,
Malmö Art Academy
2013 Norden og Europa, text by Jørgen Bukdal, edited by Carsten Juhl, Billedkunstskolernes forlag,
Denmark
2012 Sinnislig upplating í sikk og sakk, article by Kinna Poulsen, Listinblog
The Making of Jóhan, article/interview by Louise Steiwer, Kopenhagen
2011 Tag en tur med i pløret, Michael Jeppesen, Information, Septeembeer 20th
Articles and interviews on/with other artists and subjects
2024 Protest, maske, yngling, strejke - lidt om mit udvalg af Janus Kambans værker, article published by
Periskop, University of Copenhagen
2023 Some people are turned on by rejection, article for catalogue published by Arken Museum of
Contemporary Art in connection with the exhibition Bricks — Per Kirkeby
2016 Honorary article on Hansina Iversen on the occasion of her fiftieth birthday, Varðin
2015 Heimanna framtíðir og tátíðir - about the Venice biennale, Dimmalætting, October 30th
2013 Lilac horizons Lavender sky, interview with Tiril Hasselknippe, Kopenhagen, January 23rd
Det lille element af selvblottelse er vitigt, interview with Peter Land, Kopenhagen, March 15th
2012 Interview with Maiken Bent on her exhibition at IMO, Kopenhagen, March 2012
2010 Interview with Rannva Kunoy on her exhibition at The Nordich House in the Faroe Islands,
Kopenhagen, august
Honorary grants, scholarships and residencies
2024 Three-year work scholarship, the Faroese Culture Foundation
Production funding, Danish Art Foundation, Danish Tennis Foundation, New Carlsberg Foundation,
Den Hielmstierne-Rosencronske Stiftelse, Rådet for Visuel Kunst (City of Copenhagen), Faroese
Culture Foundation, Faroese Ministry of Culture
Study-travel grant, Augustinus Foundation, Faroese Ministry of Culture (for participation in the one
year course Of Public Interest, Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm)
Residency at Danish Art Workshops, Printmaking studio
2023 Work scholarship, the Danish Art Foundation
Residency at Danish Art Workshops, Printmaking studio
Production funding, Danish Art Foundation, Grosserer L.F. Foghts Fond, Poul Johansen Fonden,
Lizzi og Mogens Staal Fonden, Faroese Culture Foundation, Faroese Ministry of Culture, Rådet for
Visuel Kunst (City of Copenhagen)
2022 Production funding, Danish Art Foundation, Den Hielmstierne-Rosencronske Stiftelse, Faroe
Islands Art Association, Faroese Culture Foundation, Faroese Ministry of Culture, City of Tórshavn
Residency at ARV.Iinternational, Bulgaria
2021 Honorary grant, Carl Nielsen and Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen Talent Award
Work scholarship, the Danish Art Foundation and the Faroese Culture Foundation
Production funding, Danish Art Foundation, Faroese Culture Foundation
2020 Honorary funding, Winkel & Magnussens Memory Foundation, Denmark
Production funding, Danish Art Foundation, Akademiraadet, Danish-Faroese Culture Foundation,
Faroese Culture Foundation and Grosserer L.F. Foghts Fond
2019 Work residency at Danish Art Workshops
Production funding: Danish Art Foundation, Faroese Film Foundation
2018 Work scholarship, the Faroese Culture Foundation
Production funding, Danish Art Foundation
2017 Work scholarship, the Danish Art Foundation
Listaflog, Atlantic Airways Art Grant (with Hansina Iversen, Lonely Hearts)
Production funding, Danish Art Foundation, Faroese Culture Foundation, Danish-Faroese Culture
Foundation
2016 Work scholarship, the Danish Art Foundation and the Faroese Culture Foundation
Production funding, Danish Art Foundation, Faroese Culture Foundation, Faroese Ministry of
Culture, City of Tórshavn
2014 Honorary grant, Eva och Hugo Bergmans Memory Foundation, Sweden
Production funding, Danish Art Foundation, Faroese Culture Foundation, City of Tórshavn
Other activities
2024 Everyday sculptures, primary school day course, Kunsthal Kongegården, Korsør, DK
Everyday sculptures, course at Faroese Folk High School (Føroya Fólkaháskúli), Tórshavn, FO
External examiner, Bachelor of Arts in Creative Arts, University of the Faroe Islands
2023 Decolonized?, talk with Margaret Tali, University of Tartu, Estonia
Everyday sculptures, teaching at elementary school, Listaleypurin
Presentation at Gathering Spells study day as part of DE.a.RE - DEconstruct and REbuild,
mannaged by BJCEM-Biennale des jeunes créateurs de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée, at
Fluks Art Center, University of Adger, Kristiansand, Norway
DISH - A Place of Family History and Ruin, talk at the Confrontin Coloniality seminar at The Nordic
House, Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands
Member of the advisory committee for the Nordic House in the Faroe Islands
2022 - Jury member, Listaflog, Atlantic Airways Art Grant
2021 - Board member, BKF - Billedkunstnernes Forbund (Danish Visual Artists)
Teaching / Sculpture workshop at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, DK
2019 Jury member, Norddok, The Danish Film Institute
2018 Lecture on materiality and nature with Kim Simonsen, University of the Faroe Islands
2017 Artist talk, Göteborg Book Fair, Sweden
2016 Board member, art steering group for new hospital (H-building) in Tórshavn,
the Faroe Islands
2016 - Board member, the Council of Faroese Artists (Listafólkasamband Føroya)
2015 Jury member, Future Legends: Nordic, Palladium, Malmö, Sweden
Public Collections
Danish Art Foundation, Faroe Islands Art Association / National Gallery of the Faroe Islands, Nuuk Art Museum, NyKredit
Artistic education
2023-24 Of Public Interest, Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm, Sweden
2012-14 Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts, Malmö Art Academy, Sweden
2009-12 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts, Malmö Art Academy, Sweden
2008-09 Foundation course, Kunsthøjskolen på Ærø, Denmark
2007-08 Foundation course, Kunsthøjskolen i Holbæk, Denmark
Member of Kunstnersamfundet, BKF (Billedkunstnernes Forbund), UKK - Organization for Artists, Curators, and Art Mediators, MYND - Føroysk Myndlistafólk.