After completing a series of Complexity paintings in 2002, the artist began a body of black-and-white line drawings of mechanical objects, pushing the distortion technique to its limits. By allowing the lines to overlap, the process of composition opened up. The chosen object — a microscope — was gradually twisted as its contours were redrawn in distorted versions, offering the viewer a sense of all-around perspective. Various materials within the object were identified through distinct colours, and the drawings evolved into paintings. Complex systems of colour blending were introduced, with each theme representing overlapping elements.

One of the key works in this series, Slowly you return to life, took nearly two years to complete. For the artist, what is seen or not seen in these paintings is less important than the interplay of complex interactions unfolding simultaneously on multiple levels, which gives the works their visual vitality. The final painting in this series was completed in 2009.

Johnathan Daily. With an impressionistic approach to colour and an intuitive method of selection, Johnathan Daily explores three-dimensionality while remaining true to his classical roots. He views his paintings as verbs rather than nouns, creating immersive experiences that engage viewers emotionally. Working in series is central to his practice, reflecting his dedication and thoughtfulness. Past series, such as Complexity and Shifted Blended, contrast and build upon one another, charting the evolution of his artistic journey. Daily captures fleeting impulses, though each piece can take up to two years to complete. Repetition plays a crucial role: layers of paint are applied 7 to 200 times in a process he describes as an “accrual of layered strata.” Titles and colours serve as carriers of meaning, highlighting both vibrant and negative spaces. His work invites viewers to linger, revealing hidden layers as light shifts, transforming brushstrokes into birds, faces, and rainbows, and allowing his paintings to move fluidly between figuration and abstraction. Through his experimental approach, Daily breaks rules and creates moments of surprise, affirming his position as a significant contemporary painter.

Johnathan Daily (b. 1974) is a Swedish-American artist based in Stockholm since 2000. He earned his B.F.A. from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1999, after studying at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. His work has been exhibited extensively in Sweden and the U.S., including solo shows at Galleri Duerr in Stockholm, such as Blixtfisket (2023) and Surfing the Apocalypse (2021), as well as numerous group exhibitions.