Guy Hepner Gallery

Johan Deckmann Bored For Sale

Johan Deckmann
Johan Deckmann - Bored, 2026, Acrylic on Book

Bored, 2026

Acrylic on Book

16 1/2 x 13 3/8 In

About this work

Johan Deckmann has established himself as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary conceptual art, garnering international recognition for his singular practice of transforming vintage books into vehicles for psychological commentary. The Danish artist and practicing psychotherapist brings a rare duality to his work, merging clinical insight with visual wit in a manner that resonates deeply with collectors worldwide. His pieces are held in private collections across Europe, North America, and Asia, reflecting sustained demand within the primary market. Bored presents a characteristically direct intervention into the familiar form of the hardcover book. Rendered in acrylic, the work features Deckmann's signature typographic approach, wherein a single word or phrase replaces the original title, recontextualizing the object as both artwork and self-help artifact. The economy of language here belies the complexity of its subject. Boredom, often dismissed as trivial, becomes under Deckmann's treatment a point of genuine inquiry, a state worthy of examination rather than mere remedy. The physicality of the book itself, with its worn texture and implied history, grounds the conceptual gesture in materiality, inviting the viewer to consider what narratives have been overwritten and what new meanings emerge. At sixteen and a half by thirteen and three-eighths inches, the work occupies an intimate scale that reinforces its accessibility while maintaining the visual presence necessary for display. The restrained palette and bold lettering ensure immediate legibility, a hallmark of Deckmann's approach. For acquisition inquiries regarding this work by Johan Deckmann, please contact Guy Hepner to discuss availability and pricing.

$6,300

Sell or Consign

Edition & Provenance

Year
2026
Medium
Acrylic on Book

More from this series

Related Reading

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.

View full series →
Bored

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.

View all works →