Artist statement
I work with reflections that explore the depths of human existence. Who are we, and what defines us as humans?
My works are visual thoughts — an ongoing attempt to understand and learn. I dive into overlooked themes and values within our culture and, through the language of art, transform them into new perspectives. I aim to create works that invite contemplation and resonance — spaces where new meanings can emerge and nurture deeper understanding.
Humor and a distinctive aesthetic play central roles in my practice. I approach my work through three main directions:
1. Fragments of popular culture – drawing on recognizable imagery that mirrors our shared existence.
2. Reflective nostalgia – exploring a longing for what is lost as a way to understand the present and learn from the past.
3. Collage as a postmodern expression – embracing the chaotic composition of humanity.
Earlier in my practice, I focused on unseen urban landscapes and consumer products, reinterpreting them as still lifes. Everyday objects and unnoticed moments have long inspired me — I seek to illuminate what we have stopped seeing.
As a colorist, I explore the emotional depth and tension of color. I experiment with composition and often allow a single color to appear only once within a painting to create balance and dynamism.
My work spans multiple media — including painting, drawing, collage, digital collage, text, textile, and readymade sculpture — all contributing to an evolving dialogue about perception, memory, and identity.
Artist bio
Jonna Pedersen has developed a distinctive and personal visual language, working at the intersection between the figurative and the abstract, where humour, poetry, and critical awareness meet. With a sharp eye for the absurdities of everyday life, she creates works that explore human relationships, culture, and existence – giving familiar icons and ordinary objects new meaning.
Her practice spans painting, collage, glass, mixed media, lino prints, textiles, and drawing.
She holds a Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture from the University of Southern Denmark and has studied at several private art schools. Since 2005, Pedersen has exhibited internationally and received multiple national grants. Her work has been shown at Museum Ovartaci, Kunsthal Vejle, and JANUS – Museum of Contemporary Art, and is represented in the Imago Mundi – Luciano Benetton Collection, Jens Olesen’s Collection, Rita Houmann’s Collection, Heerup Museum, and Museum Ovartaci.
Alongside her artistic practice, Pedersen co-curates exhibitions within KOLLEKTIVET, a curatorial collaboration that explores “the artistic engine room” – the processes behind the finished artwork – bringing greater visibility to what is normally hidden from the public eye.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Jonna Pedersen (born 1971)
Lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Member of
Kuratorfællesskabet KOLLEKTIVET / Curator group KOLLEKTIVET
Kunstnersammenslutningen PRO / Artist’s Association PRO
Billedkunstnernes Forbund (BKF) / Danish Visual Artists
Kvindelige Kunstneres Samfund (KKS) / The Danish Women’s Artist Association
2021-2024 Kunsthal Vejle Advisory Board
Education
1999/2003-04 Visual Art Schools in Copenhagen and London
1996 Cand. Negot / Master of Arts (MA) in Business, Language and Culture from University of Southern Denmark
Grants/Awards
2024 - The Danish Arts Foundation - production grant
2021 Danske Billedkunstneres Fagforenings Ophavsretsfond - working grant
2020 Ministry of Culture - working grant
2011 The Danish Arts Foundation - working grant
2010 Hielmstierne/Rosencroneske Foundation - working grant
2009 The Danish Arts Council - travel grant
2008 The Danish Arts Foundation – travel grant
2006 Hielmstierne/Rosencroneske Foundation - working grant
2006 Oticon Foundation – travel grant
2006 Toyota Foundation – travel grant
2005 Honorable Award at ART NOW
2005 Honorable Award at ART ADDICTION
Upcoming exhibitions
2026 KH7 Artspace Århus
Solo exhibitions
2025 Time Travel, Udstillingsstedet.dk, Denmark
2024 Brændende Kærlighed, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark
2024 Eftertanker, Møllen, Vejle, Denmark
2023 Brev i april, Kunsthal Vejle Rum21, Denmark
2023 Homo Vita, Birkerød Gl. Præstegård, Denmark
2022 Yes. No! Maybe…, Kunsthal Vejle, Denmark
2021 Existence, Davis Gallery Contemporary Art, Denmark
2019 Cigarettes, Whisky and…, Gallerie Jaan, Denmark
2019 [ Fone ], Heerup Museum, Denmark
2019 Gallery Liisberg, Denmark
2019 The 20 Commandments, Kunsthal Vejle, Vejle, Denmark. Supported by the Visual Arts Council Vejle Municipality.
2018 Ærø Kunsthal, Ærø, Denmark
2018 Table for Two, Bredgade Kunsthandel, Copenhagen, Denmark. Curator Inge Schjødt
2017 Velbekomme! Kunstforeningen Det Ny Kastet, Thisted, Denmark
2015 Paintings, Mika Contemporary Art Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel
2014 The Face of the City, Augustiana, Augustenborg, Denmark
2014 You Sweet Life, North Art Galleri, Copenhagen, Denmark
2014 Crazy About Covers, Priiskorn Contemporary, Copenhagen, Denmark
2014 Thorasminde, Bagsværd, Denmark
2013 Eyecatcher, Galleri Hegnhøj & Blyme, Copenhagen, Denmark
2013 Writing on The Door and A Spanish Coffee, Kilden, Denmark
2013 The world is somewhere, Frederikshavn Museum of Art, Denmark
2012 FootAction, GX Gallery, London, England
2012 Circus Zero, Galleri Jytte Arntzen, Copenhagen, Denmark
2012 Æglageret, Denmark
2011 The Zity, Galerie Contour, Denmark
2011 Bytte - bytte købmand, Bremers Galleri, Denmark
2011 Dokumentary, Køge Galleriet, Køge, Denmark
2010 Cirkus Metropolis, Galleri Jakobsen, Lønstrup, Denmark
2009 Billy Boy kommer til byen, Galleri Nørballe, Strib, Denmark
2009 Stregkoder og stjernestøv, Galleri Liisberg, Hundested, Denmark
2009 Etikette, Copenhart Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark
2008 De elskende og byens gader, Galleriet Jørgen Østergaard, Ikast, Denmark
2008 De elskende og byens gader, Kunstpakhuset, Ikast, Denmark
2008 Tidslommer og knaphuller, Copenhart Gallery, Valby, Denmark
2007 Urbane Fortællinger, NBeX, Galleri NB, Viborg, Denmark
2007 Danmarks Akvarium, Copenhagen, Denmark
2007 Galleri Liisberg, Hundested, Denmark
2007 Urbane Fortællinger, Galleriet Else Marie Jensen, Kolding, Denmark
2007 Jørgens Autohal III, Copenhart Gallery, Valby, Denmark
2007 I love New York, Pakhuset, Nykøbing Sj., Denmark
2007 Jørgens Autohal II, Galleri Jakobsen, Hjørring, Denmark
2006 Times Square Utopia, Galleri Jytte Arntzen, Copenhagen, Denmark
2006 Jørgens Autohal I, Byggeriets Hus, Frederiksberg, Denmark
2006 Kunsthal Brantebjerg, Odsherred, Denmark
2006 Galleri Jarsbo, Århus, Denmark
2005 Galleri Nordskov, Nordfyn, Denmark
2005 Urban Tribe IV, Gallery Nybro, Copenhagen, Denmark
2005 Galleri Liisberg, Hundested, Denmark
2005 Urban Tribe III, COBRA/rummet ved Sophienholm, Copenhagen, Denmark
2004 Galleri Nybro, Copenhagen, Denmark
Group exhibitions
2025 PROvartaci - at være menneske, Museum Ovartaci, Denmark
2025 Det uendelige landskab, Kunsthal Vejle, Denmark
2024 Tilbageblik - version II, Kunstbygningen i Vrå, Denmark
2024 Travelling, Vestjyllandsudstillingen 2024, JANUS - Museum of Contemporary Art, Denmark
2024 Heerup & PRO i dialog, Dronninglund Kunstcenter, Denmark
2023 Tilbageblik - version I, JANUS - Museum of Contemporary Art, Denmark
2023 PRO - sådan set…, Portalen, Denmark
2023 Heerup og PRO - på opdagelsesrejse, Heerup Museum, Denmark
2023 PRO, Helligåndshuset, Denmark
2022 International Affairs, Rathenau Hallen G59, Berlin, Germany. Curator Steffen Blunk
2022 People to People, Davis Gallery, Denmark. Curator Awang Behartawan
2022 PRO, Helligåndshuset, Denmark
2022 Klisterkunst, Galleri Korinth, Denmark
2021 Efter-billeder, SAK Kunstbygning, Denmark. Curator Simon Grimm and Jonna Pedersen. Supported by The Danish Arts Foundation.
2021 Efter-billeder, JANUS - Museum of Contemporary Art. Supported by The Danish Arts Foundation
2021 20 x Testimony, Kunsthal Vejle
2020 In My Own Space, Bredgade Kunsthandel, Copenhagen, Denmark
2020 Bank- og Sparekassemuseet, Copenhagen, Denmark
2020 Sommerudstilling 2020, Bredgade Kunsthandel, Copenhagen, Denmark
2020 Art Herning, MCH Herning Congress Center
2020 Human and Nature, Art Gallery No. 6, Guangzhou, China. Curator Mari Blomroos-Heininen
2019 PLAY room, Zaandam, Holland
2019 100% Female, Alkmaar, Holland. Curator Jeroen van Paassen
2019 100 Fleurs, Solvang Library, Copenhagen
2019 Sommerudstilling 2019, Bredgade Kunsthandel, Copenhagen, Denmark
2019 Remix #5, Galleri Kunstmix, Copenhagen, Denmark
2019 Vinterudstilling 2019, Bredgade Kunsthandel, Copenhagen, Denmark
2018 Kunsthal Vejle, Denmark
2018 Contemporary Art Lethes Art 2018, Ponte de Lima, Portugal. Curator Victor Vidal
2018 POP/UP, Mika Gallery Tel Aviv @ The Refinery, New York, USA
2018 Overgang, Museum Ovartaci, Denmark
2018 International Sculpture Exhibition, Denmark
2018 Fresh Paint Contemporary Art Fair, Tel Aviv, Israel
2017 Fresh Paint Contemporary Art Fair 2017, The Steinhardt Museum, Israel
2016 KKS 100 Year, Museum of Kirsten Kjær, Denmark
2016 Celebration of Anna Ancher, KKS 100 Year, Skagen Odde Naturcenter, Skagen, Denmark
2016 Cobber Wedding, Galleri Nordskov, Denmark
2016 Buket, KKS 100 Year, Gammelgaard, Copenhagen, Denmark
2016 Freshpaint Contemporary Art Fair, Tel Aviv, Israel
2015 Hotel Alegra, Jerusalem, Israel
2015 Bozar de Schuurman, Koel310, Alkmaar, Holland
2015 Imago Mundi, Giorgio Cini Foundation, Venice, Italy
2015 Voyage, Voyage, Enschede, Holland
2015 Affordable Art Fair New York
2014 De Kunst 10 Daagse, Bergen, Holland
2014 Are We Already Gone?, FlickerLab, New York, USA. Curated by Negin Sharifzadeh
2014 Global Village 2014, Kulturhuset Brønden, Brøndby, Denmark
2014 Global Village 2014, Landshut, Germany
2014 Viborg International Billboard Painting Festival, Denmark
2014 My Place, Heerup Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark. Curator Anni Lave
2013 An Introduction to Global Village, ABC Treehouse, Amsterdam, Holland
2012 The Big Show 7, Silas Marder Gallery, Bridgehampton, New York, USA
2012 New York City Blues, Augustiana, with Grace Pillard, Robin Tewes, Bjørn Eriksen, Denmark
2012 New York City Blues, Kunstpakhuset Ikast, with Grace Pillard, Robin Tewes, Bjørn Eriksen, Denmark
2012 Global Village, Projekt 072, Alkmaar, Holland. Curator Jeroen van Paassen
2012 Global Village, Kulturhuset Brønden, Denmark. Curator Jeroen van Paassen
2012 Global Village, Château Sully, Burgundy, France. Curator Jeroen van Paassen
2011 Dit Tårn Din Kunst, Rundetårn, Copenhagen, Denmark
2011 ProjectMailArtBooks, KNH (Kunstenaars Noord/Holland), Haarlem, Holland. Curator Ed Hanssen
2011 ProjectMailArtBooks, KPW (Kunst Post Wijchen), Wijchen, Holland. Curator Ed Hanssen
2011 Chain Letter, Samsøn Projects, Boston, USA
2011 New York Art Marathon, Alexandre Gertsman Gallery, New York, USA. Curator David Gibson
2011 Parcours de l'Art, Avignon, France
2011 Consumer Art, Projekt 072, Alkmaar, Holland. Curator Jeroen van Paassen
2011 Optipism, DadaPost, Berlin, Germany. Curator Lars Kræmmer
2011 La Dolce Vita, YXIE Lab, Alkmaar, Holland. Curator Jeroen van Paassen
2010 2010 International Fine Art, FIFA, Johannesburg/Durban/Capetown, South Africa
2010 2010 International Fine Art, FIFA, China
2010 2010 International Fine Art, FIFA, Honduras
2010 2010 International Fine Art, FIFA, New Zealand
2010 2010 International Fine Art, FIFA, Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum, Germany
2010 Fodboldkunst, Augustiana – Kunstcenter og Skulpturpark, Augustenborg, Denmark
2010 2 + 2 + 1 + 2, Galleri Nakke Hage, Cph, Denmark
2010 Global Village, Alkmaar, Holland. Curator Jeroen van Paassen, Stiching White Cube
2008 Zephyr, Monkdogz Urban Art, New York, USA
2008 Oh, Danmark, Copenhart Gallery, Valby, Denmark
2008 Galleri Brænderigården, Horsens, Denmark
2008 Kunst i Påsken, Byggeriets Hus, Frederiksberg, Denmark
2007 Artists Autumn Exhibition (KE), Den Frie Udstillingsbygning, Copenhagen, Denmark
2007 Artists Summer Exhibition (KS), Janusbygningen, Tistrup, Denmark
2007 Jul i Danmark, Galleri Nittenunder, Copenhagen, Denmark
2007 Det er kunst, Galleri Nakke Hage, Copenhagen, Denmark
2007 Cows on walls, Copenhart Gallery, Valby, Denmark
2006 Inaugural show, Monkdogz Urban Art, New York, USA
2006 To the moon, Alice...,Heidi Cho Gallery, New York, USA
2006 Nordic Moods, Galeria La Frutéria, Barcelona, Spain
2006 Galerie Zone F, Berlin, Germany
2006 Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen, Denmark
2006 Artists Eastern Exhibition (KP), Århus Kunstbygning, Århus, Denmark
2006 Artists Summer Exhibition (KS), Janusbygningen, Tistrup, Denmark
2006 Artists Autumn Exhibition (KE), Den Frie Udstillingsbygning, Copenhagen, Denmark
2006 Hvidovre Juried Exhibition, Hvidovre Bibliotek, Hvidovre, Denmark
2006 Galleriet Jørgen Østergård, Ikast, Denmark
2006 Galleriet Else Marie Jensen, Kolding, Denmark
2006 Kolding Kunstmesse, Kolding, Denmark
2006 Andersen Art, Espergærde, Denmark
2006 Galleri Jytte Arntzen, Copenhagen, Denmark
2006 Galleri Jarsbo, Århus, Denmark
2005 Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen, Denmark
2005 Vid Association, Brøndsalen, Copenahgen, Denmark
2005 Portalen, Greve, Denmark
2005 Sisters, Berlin, Germany
2005 Galleri Jarsbo, Århus, Denmark
2005 Galleri Nybro, Copenhagen, Denmark
2004 Hvidovre Juried Exhibition, Hvidovre Bibliotek, Hvidovre, Denmark
2004 Galleri Silkeborg Kunstnerhus, Silkeborg, Denmark
2004 Galleri Nybro, Copenhagen, Denmark
2004 Lumby Mølle, Odense, Denmark
2004 Jystrup Savværk, Jystrup, Denmark
Publications - selected
[ Fone ] Sexism Existence Jonna Pedersen Works and poetry 2017-2023 Book with text by Ph.D., Associate Professor Mette Simonsen Abildgaard - Art Historian Mette Kristensen, Cinnober Edition 2023, 224 pages
Brændende Kærlighed. Danish foodculture according to Jonna Pedersen. Book with text by Inge Schjødt, Cinnober Edition 2017, 60 pages
New York City Blues. Catalog with text by Ole Lindboe & Bente Jensen, Cinnober Edition, 2012
Documentary. Jonna Pedersen Painting. Book with text by Trine Ross, Bente Jensen and Ed McCormack. 160 pages, Cinnober Edition 2011
Global Village. Catalog with text by Jeroen van Paassen, Gigaboek, 140 pages, 2010
Deadpan Danes on a Mission of Cool Text by Ed McCormack, Gallery & Studio, New York, 2008,
Urbane Fortællinger. Catalog with text by Ole Lindboe, 2007
The breadth of Reality. Jonna Pedersen and Painting. Book with text by Ole Lindboe. ArtPage. 2005
URBAN TRIBE. Catalog with text by Ole Lindboe, 2005
Commissions
2025 Unity/Sammenhold, De Langelandske Kunsttårne, Denmark
2023 Spinderihallerne, Denmark
2021 Patrade IPR Consulting House, Denmark
2019 Ørbygård Nursing Home, Denmark
2014 Viborg International Billboard Festival, Denmark
2013 Headspace, Denmark
2010 Happy Xmas Tree, Denmark
2010 2010 International Fine Art, FIFA World Cup, South Africa
2009 Danmarksindsamlingen, TV2, Denmark
2008 Finansforbundet, Copenhagen, Denmark
Collections
Jens Olesen’s Art Collection
Rita Houmann’s Art Collection
Luciano Benetton Collection Imago Mundi, Italy
Alexandre Gertsman Contemporary Art Collection, New York, USA
Sociale Verzekeringsbank, Zaanstad, Holland
Than Mór Mail Art Museum, Hungary
JANUS - Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum Ovartaci, Denmark
Heerup Museum, Denmark
Rødovre Erhvervsråd / Rødovre Erhvervspris 2015, Denmark
Viborg International Billboard Painting Foundation, Denmark
Rødovre Kommune – Lokalhistorisk Arkiv, Denmark
Gladsaxe Kommune, Denmark
Private art collectors in Denmark, England, USA, Norway, Sweden, Israel
Residencies
2018 Berlin appartment Bkf, Berlin, Germany
2018 Kunstnerbolig ART 56, Denmark
2010 Fanø Malerhuset Bkf, Denmark
Travels and Study Trips
2013, 2010 Amsterdam
2012, 2011 London
2008, 2007, 2006 New York
2018, 2006, 2005 Berlin
2006 Barcelona
Jury Member
2019, 2020 Drawing Marathon International
2014 Nordkraftudstillingen, Kunsthal Nord
2012 Kerteminde Art Festival
Artist Talks
2021 Rødovre Library
2019 Copenhagen University / “My art”
2019 Hesede Hovedgård / “Burning Love”
2019 Kunsthal Vejle / “The 20 Commandments”
2019 Bredgade Kunsthandel / “[ Fone ]”
2014 Heerup Museum / "My Places"
2012 Kunstpakhuset, Ikast / "New York City Blues"
2009 Vanløse Lokalhistoriske Forening / "My cityscapes"