Artists

Axel Jonsson

Press release

The evocative title of Axel Jonsson's third gallery show, Plan de Dieu (translated as Plan of God), invites interpretation as a question rather than a statement. Jonsson explores fundamental ideas of humanistic coexistence, captured in six works—oil paintings on canvas and watercolors on paper. Their narratives draw equally from real-world events and the artist’s personal experiences.

Jonsson’s figurative style is characterized by a meticulous depiction of textures and a detailed, formal portrayal of everyday items. His works emphasize not only the presence of human figures but also the symbolic weight of objects themselves. Their significance often rivals that of the human protagonists, shaping the overall atmosphere of his paintings. By presenting these elements as historical documents and allegories, Jonsson elevates their meaning. Through thoughtful placement, they take on the power to define entire narratives. This reverence is expressed both on Jonsson’s expansive canvases and in his approach to still life.

Axel Jonsson (born 1991 in Sweden) studied at the Gerlesborgsskolan in Stockholm (2012–2014) and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna (2014–2020), where he graduated with a diploma in the class of Daniel Richter. Jonsson lives and works in Vienna and has been represented by Galerie Elisabeth & Klaus Thoman since 2021.