Johannes Wessmark was born in Karlstad, Sweden, in 1962. After working as a celebrated advertising illustrator for 15 years, he realized his dream to become a full-time fine artist in 2006. He is self-taught and now lives and works in the Swedish wilderness.
He works with acrylics and oils on canvas, creating hyperrealist paintings. He is often called the Thomas Arvid of Sweden for his photorealistic portrayals of wine, corks, bottles, and racks. His work also features figures interacting with water, conveying a feeling of calm and relaxation.
His water subject matter stems from childhood memories of summer holidays on the Swedish west coast. Those positive experiences came to influence him as an artist many years later. He strives to convey a sense of peace in his figurative motifs.
“In my paintings, and especially my figurative motifs, I want to convey a feeling of calm and relaxation. Water is a subject matter that have followed me for many years.”
He has published two books showcasing his photorealist technique. He also teaches workshops and gives lectures across Sweden and the United States. His work has been exhibited at the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona and the Count Ibex Collection in New York.
He is represented by Arcadia Contemporary in Los Angeles and Tangent Contemporary Art in San Francisco. He has also shown at the Riviera Gallery in Cannes, France. His work has appeared in American Art Collector Magazine and International Artist.
He has participated in many solo and group exibitions worldwide. He was a member of The International Guild of Realism and The Swedish Artists National Organization. He continues to paint and exhibit his work from his studio in the Swedish countryside.
Q: What defines Johannes Wessmark’s artistic style?
A: His hyperrealist style is defined by photorealistic portrayals of wine-related subjects and figures interacting with water. He works in acrylics and oils on canvas, conveying a sense of calm and relaxation. He is self-taught and has become one of the leading photorealist painters in Europe.
