The Joakim Ojanen Interview
What’s been on your mind lately?
I had a baby a year ago so the last year has been a lot about watching him learn stuff and start becoming a human. Also trying to get time to sleep and keep working in the studio on new shows at the same time. It’s been quiet though and a lot of fun.
Are there backstories that you come up with behind all of your sculptures?
No not really. Usually, the pieces come to me when I start working. I need to feel the clay in my hands to get ideas same thing with 2d works. Need the pencil in my hand to find what I’m looking for.
Instead of a backstory i think my work slowly build up a bigger universe piece by piece and create something I couldn’t put into words.
Do your characters ever show up in your dreams? Do you have crazy dreams?
I wish I had. I almost never remember any dreams. And when I remember them they are usually stress-dreams when I have too much going on.
What’s your favorite television cartoon? Why?
Atm, I don’t really have a cartoon I’m watching. I wish I had! But looking back on different cartoons I think Spongebob is my favorite. The style was so fresh and loved the detailed close-ups.
What’s your earliest memory of making art?
I remember a drawing my 5 year older brother Jakob did of a leopard. I thought it was a masterpiece and tried to copy it. I was really satisfied with the result. Don’t remember how old i was maybe 8. Maybe it’s not the first one I remember but its sticked with me for a long time.
Why did it stick with you?
Maybe because i didn’t think I would be able to make it as good as it turned out. I know i saw it again a few years later and maybe it wasnt as good as I thought when I did it but I still liked it.
What’s the last thing you made that you were really proud of? What made it so special?
I’ve done a big 3meter tall bronze sculpture for my hometown Västerås that’s at the foundry getting ready now and will be installed this fall. It’s part of a bigger group of 7 bronze sculptures for the city. This project has been really special for me, getting to make a group of sculptures that will stand there permanent.
Do you end up keeping everything you make?
Yes I keep almost everything. Some things that I don’t feel for I don’t finish. Bit, not everything gets in the exhibition. Some things stays in the studio and maybe I throw them away a few years later when Im finished with them and don’t feel for them anymore.
Who do you look up to? (doesn’t have to be an artist) What is your favorite moment/memory of them
One of the greatest exhibitions I’ve seen last year was Tal R at Artipelag outside of Stockholm. I always been a fan of his work and this was no disappointment. There was a huge amount of human size bronzes and plaster sculptures and a huge wall filled with big drawings filling it up. A great combination of two mediums. He has always been really good at combining playfulness and tactility which I think is kind of rare.
