Johnathan Daily, SE/US

Johnathan Daily (b. 1974) is a Swedish-American artist, based in Stockholm since 2000.

He received his B.F.A. from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1999, having previously studied at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. With a career spanning several decades, Daily has held numerous solo exhibitions, including recent shows at Galleri Duerr in Stockholm, such as “Blixtfisket” (2023) and“Surfing the Apocalypse” (2021). His artwork has also been showcased in various group exhibitions throughout Sweden and the U.S., where he has garnered significant recognition, including the Örebro OpenART Award in 2009.

With an impressionistic approach to color and an intuitive method of selection,Daily explores three-dimensionality while maintaining true to his classical roots. Daily views his paintings as verbs rather than nouns, creating immersive experiences that engage viewers emotionally.Daily’s artistic approach revolves around working in series, highlighting his dedication and thoughtful engagement with his craft. Past series like “Black Rainbow,”“Complexity,” and “Shifted Blended” not only contrast with each other but also build upon one another, showcasing the evolution of his artistic journey. In his most recent series, titled “Blixtfisket” (Fishing for Lightning), Daily captures fleeting impulses, although the execution of each piece can stretch over two years.

Repetition plays a crucial role, with layers of paint being applied anywhere from 7 to 200 times through-out several years, a process he describes as an “accrual of layered strata.” In the absence of distinct motifs, titles, and colors serve as core carriers of meaning, drawing attention to both vibrant and negative spaces in his work. Daily’s art invites

viewers to linger, allowing previously hidden layers to emerge as light shifts through-out the day, transforming brushstrokes into birds, faces, and rainbows. This interplay enables his pieces to navigate between figuration and abstraction fluidly. Through his experimental approach to painting, Daily breaks rules, offering surprising moments that affirm him as a significant contemporary painter.