Paintings on Canvas
50 works
Johan Deckmann Overthinking For Sale
Johan Deckmann
Overthinking, 2025
Acrylic on Book
16 1/2 x 13 3/8 in 42 x 34 cm
About this work
Overthinking is a 2025 Book Wall Piece by Johan Deckmann (16 1/2 x 13 3/8 inches, 42 x 34 cm), in which the single word 'Overthinking' is painted in acrylic across a book cover. The work is characteristic of Deckmann's practice of identifying the most common afflictions of contemporary consciousness and rendering them as art objects — simultaneously diagnosing and demonstrating the condition they name. 'Overthinking' has become a defining word of contemporary psychological culture: a term for the loop of excessive analysis, rumination, and imagined catastrophe that affects many people in an age of constant information and relentless self-examination. Deckmann's choice of this word, painted on a book, generates a particular irony: books themselves — especially those in the therapeutic and self-help tradition that Deckmann's work references — are in some sense the products and instruments of thinking. A book about overthinking, by definition, risks becoming an object of overthinking. Deckmann resolves this with characteristic economy: the single word, painted directly, performs the opposite of overthinking. It is a minimal gesture that says what it means, without elaboration. The work invites viewers to recognise themselves in the word — to laugh at their own tendency toward excessive analysis — and then to move on. This lightness of touch, combined with genuine psychological insight, is what distinguishes Deckmann's practice and has made his Book Wall Pieces among the most beloved works of his generation.
Price on Application
Edition & Provenance
- Year
- 2025
- Medium
- Acrylic on Book
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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.
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.