Åke Johansson

Swedish artist Åke Johansson creates magnificent graphite portraits that feature the classic and modern day titans of Hollywood, rendered with a great sensitivity and in striking detail. His pencil work nimbly captures the dramatic proceedings and larger-than-life personas radiated by such stars as Marlon Brando, Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe and Jack Nicholson. Johansson’s work highlights a rhythmic construction of forms and beautiful modulation between shadow and light, while concentrating on intensity found in the eyes and facial posturing. Other works feature costars posed together in dynamic compositions replete with a sensual tension and polished charisma found only in Hollywood’s elite.

This has been a busy year for Johansson, as his work becomes increasingly more visible within the arts communities in both Europe and the United States. He has exhibited in the U.S. three times thus far in 2008: in Miami, in New York City’s Tribeca and Chelsea art districts.