Johanna Fager

About + CV

Johanna Fager is an architect an artist exploring the interplay between the city, our sensory perceptions, and politics – how we experience the presence of the body and mind in a given environment. Through a blend of text, architecture, image, sound and installations, she focuses on what cannot be measured: how a place feels, sounds, and how we move within it. She engages in practice-based artistic research as well as self-initiated works and projects.

She has extensive experience as a sub-consultant architect, co-creator and collaborator to, and with, other architect studios and artists within both theoretical and practical frameworks.

In collaboration with composer and sound artist Nicole Cecilie Bitsch Pedersen (DK) and visual artist and writer Jo Mikkel Sjaastad Huse (NO) she runs the interdisciplinary art project PUBLIC RETREAT.
The collaboration started with the larger art and architecture work NYA LÖVHOLMEN in 2022/2023, within the framework of the research hub and postmaster Of Public Interest (OPI) Lab, at the Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm (SE).

She is a part of the collaborative artist and architect platform Of Public Interest (OPI) Studio founded and run by professor and artist Jonas Dahlberg (SE) working on large scale public art commissions and research.

In her own practice, in collaboration with others and as sub-consultant architect she has been part of works and projects from smaller residential projects for private clients to large scale complex public artworks, architecture, infrastructural and urban planning projects.

Johanna Fager is Arkitekt SAR/MSA and holds a Degree of Master of Architecture (M.Arch), from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm. She has studied architecture and art in Prag at the Academy of Art, Architecture and Design (UMPRUM/AAAD) and was a participant in the research hub and postmaster course Of Public Interest (OPI) Lab 2022/2023, researching art and architecture in public space at the Institution for Fine Art and Architecture, Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm.

The Studio is based in Stockholm, Sweden.

Education

2024. Elektronmusikstudion, EMS. Course in Electroacoustic Music and Sound Art, Stockholm (SE)

2022-2023. Of Public Interest (OPI) Lab, Postmaster, Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm (SE)

2008-2013. KTH School of Architecture, Master’s Degree in Architecture (M.Arch), Stockholm (SE)

2011-2012. Academy of Art, Architecture and Design, AAAD / UMPRUM, Prague, Czech Republic (CZ)

2003. Linnaeus University. Web design, Visual Learning, Graphic Design, Växjö (SE)

2002. Linnaeus University, Digital Illustration, Image Knowledge, Växjö (SE)

2002-2003. Preparatory Art training, Folkuniversitetet Art-Tex, Växjö (SE)

2001-2002. Uppsala University, Media and Communication Studies, Journalism, Uppsala (SE)

Selected Exhibitions / Broadcastings / Publications / Public Events / Performances

2025. PUBLIC RETREAT Radio episode Death, Radiophrenia 2025, Glasgow (UK)

2025. PUBLIC RETREAT sound installation part of PUBLIC RETREAT on fire aired on Radio Sydväst, Stockholm (SE)

2025. PUBLIC RETREAT’s sound work Radio Soundscape nominated to Short Dox Award, Tempo Dokumentärfestival, Stockholm (SE)

2025. PUBLIC RETREAT Explorer – a newspaper! Release of a newspaper and the magazine FIRE and a solo exhibition. Platform Stockholm and Färgfabriken, Stockholm (SE)

2024. PUBLIC RETREAT – on fire. Solo exhibition part of Färgfabriken Architecture Triennial, Stockholm (SE)

2024. PUBLIC RETREAT at Platform Deep Dive. Artistic research residency, Platform Stockholm, Stockholm (SE)

2024. PUBLIC RETREAT Radio. 12 sound-, and radio works for radiOrakel, Oslo (NO)

2024. PUBLIC RETREAT Rat Radio, Sound work for radio, Lähiradio, Helsinki (FI)

2024. PUBLIC RETREAT Radio, Sound work for radio, IDA Radio, Helsinki (FI)

2024. PUBLIC RETREAT ...the eye of the ear. Click, stop. ) ) ) ) !? Solo exhibition, Gallery Oksasenkatu 11, Helsinki (FI)

2024. PUBLIC RETREAT. The Graveyard Digression - radio edit. Soundwork for radioOrakel, Oslo (NO)

2023. PUBLIC RETREAT. The Graveyard Digression + Begravningsplatsavvikelsen, group exhibition, SPARK, Malmö (SE)

2023. NYA LÖVHOLMEN a citizen proposal + radio program and collective listening session, Gröndal (SE)

2023. Nya Lövholmen Magazine #4 - a sound magazine and publication. OPI Lab Open Door Session, Gröndal (SE)

2023. Nya Lövholmen Magazine #1-3, Publications, OPI Lab Open Door Session, Gröndal (SE)

2023. Årsta Scoutkår. Workshops on spatial awareness, visions, dreams with scout group and the wider public, Årsta (SE)

2012. Artsemestr leto. Contemporary urban station in KARLÍN, exhibition at AAAD, Prague (CZ)

2011. Artsemestr zima. KAPLE – A hospital chaple, exhibition at AAAD, Prague (CZ)

Selected Public Works / Installations

Ongoing. OPI Studio. Of Others’ Uses. Public Art Commission for Svenska Margaretakyrkan, Oslo (NO)

2013-2018. Jonas Dahlberg Studio. Sub-consultant. Large scale complex public art and architecture, exhibitions, scenography. Selected works; 22 juli minnesmärke, Utøya and in Oslo. 3 memorials commemorating the victims of the terror attack in Utøya and Government quarters in Oslo (NO) 22 July 2011. Public Luxury, ArkDes, Group exhibition. Installation architecture for Dahlberg’s work, Stockholm (SE).The Mirror, public artwork, Stockholm (SE).

Selected Architecture

Ongoing. Addition to a 1880’s wooden house. Private client. Filipstad (SE)

Ongoing. Årsta Scout Group main building. Remodelling, and re-programming + conceptual work. Årsta (SE)

2024. Extension to a terraced house. Private client. Bagarmossen (SE)

2023-ongoing. Hultén Olsson Arkitekter AB. Sub-consultant, project managing architect and collaborator. SFA-Stockholm Future Wastewater Management + SVOA – redevelopment and new constructions. Stockholm and Nacka (SE)

2021-2022. Folkbostaden Stockholm. Sub-consultant project managing architect. Private residencies. Stockholm (SE)

2019-2023. Hultén Arkitekter AB. Sub-consultant, project managing architect and collaborator. SVOA – New reception and entrance building at Henriksdals Reningsverk, SFA. Stockholm and Nacka (SE)

2018. Remodelling of residential apartment. Private client. Stockholm (SE)

2018. AIX Arkitekter AB. Sub-consultant architect. Mälardalens Högskola - Interior architecture, furniture. Eskilstuna (SE)

2017. Villa in Älvsjö. Proposal for an extension of a private residence. Private client, Älvsjö (SE)

2017. Attic conversion. Remodeling of attic into apartment. Private client. Stockholm (SE)

2016-2019. Mächs Hultén Arkitekter AB. Sub-consultant project managing architect. SFA, Herrängen School – Renovation and extension, Älvsjö (SE), Ringen, Remodeling of commercial spaces into housing, Västra Haninge (SE)

2016. In Praise of Shadows. Sub-consultant. Graphic design and visualizations.

2016. Villa K. Proposal for a private residence. Private client. Västerås (SE)

2016, 2010. YAJ Arkitekter AB. Sub-consultant architect and employee. Residential project and attic conversion, design for destination Åsnen. Graphic design and visualizations. Stockholm/Åsnen (SE)

2013-2016. Urban Design AB. Architect intern, then employed as architect, later sub-consultant architect. Selected
2008-2010. projects: Översiktsplan/Västra Staden Nässjö Municipality, Auktionskompaniet, Tekniska Nämndhuset (1:a pris tävling), Kummelholmen konsthall, Sundbybergs Simhall, Ridhus Milo, Palmfeldt Center, BAS Id kontor och OBC Gran Canaria Hotel with BAS Id. Projects in Sweden and abroad.

2013-2014. ANTICIPATING 2020 + Telge Hovsjö. Master Diploma Work, continued commission. Urban planning and development. Curated art and architecture program for temporary works in wait of redevelopment to begin. Analysis, strategy, concept, illustrations for the development of Hovsjö. Client: Municipality of Södertälje (SE)

2007-2008. B+H Architects and JBM Design Collaborative Ltd. Architect intern at the landscape and urban planning dept. Shanghai (CN)

Selected Artistic and Architectural Practice-based Research work

Ongoing. Brev från en morfar (Letters from a grandfather). Collective memory, fiction, traces, text

Ongoing. Vem är Yvonne? (Who is Yvonne?) A study of sharing our most private space(s) with strangers - over time

Ongoing. PUBLIC RETREAT. An interdisciplinary, practice-based art project centered around the exploration of our common auditory urban environment and the human and non-human experiences of and relations to it

Ongoing. Place de l’Étoile. Shared (fictive) memories, twisted narrative, ink drawing, light, materialities, sound essay

2024. PUBLIC RETREAT. Platform Deep Dive. Platform Stockholm (SE)

2023. NYA LÖVHOLMEN. Multi-faceted artistic research in collaboration with Nicole Cecilie Bitsch Pedersen (DK) and Jo Mikkel Sjaastad Huse (NO). A counter proposal, Nya Lövholmen radio and collective listening session, Nya Lövholmen Magazine #1-3, Nya Lövholmen Magazine #4 – a sound magazine and more

Grants and Awards

2025. 1 Year Working Grant. Swedish Arts Grants Committee

2024. PUBLIC RETREAT. The sound journey The Graveyard Digression shortlisted to Walk Listen Create’s Sound Walk September Awards 2024

2024. Project, exhibtion, publication and research support. Helgo Zettervall’s Fund

2024. International exchange funding/work travel grant. Swedish Arts Grants Committee

2024. NYA LÖVHOLMEN nominated to Architects Sweden Critic Prize 2023 / Sveriges Arkitekters Kritikerpriset 2023

2023. PUBLIC RETREAT. Culture and Art Programme Grant. Nordic Culture Point

2023. PUBLIC RETREAT. Project Support. Nordic Culture Fund

2023. Architectural Research Grant. Royal Institute of Art (SE)

2016. Helgostipendiet. Co-applicant/JDS

2013. Anders Mortner’s Grant for Coastline Conditions, California (US). Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts (SE)

Residencies and Symposiums

Upcoming. PUBLIC RETREAT. Invitation from art-, and culture organization and residency in Rome, Villa Emera (IT)

2025 August. PUBLIC RETREAT symposium on sound and listening, Sound Art Lab, Struer (DK)

2024. PUBLIC RETREAT, residency. Sound Art Lab, Struer (DK)

Selected Competitions

2023. New watertower in Hemmesta (SE). In collaboration with Hultén Olsson Arkitekter

2020. Terra, Monte d’Oiro Wine Tasting Facility (PT). In collaboration with Roger Bejinha

2014-2015. Stockholm Municipal Planning Office. As employee at Urban Design AB. 2014 1st Prize in invited competition in collaboration with the Spanish Architect Office SelgasCano. Continued concept development 2015.

2008. MTRPLTN DC. As employee at Urban Design AB. Development of Mörby Centrum. 3rd prize.

Other
2024-2026. Advisory assessor, grant applications for Kulturbryggan, Swedish Arts Grants Committee (SE)

2022. Space Sharing Strategies + Public Office + the Y. Performative space sharing strategies and test of public space, illustration and test of dystopia / utopia. In collaboration with Nicole Cecilie Bitsch Pedersen and Jo Mikkel Sjaastad Huse. Lövholmen, Stockholm (SE)

2020. Stoft I-IV. Charchoal / Tinted charcoal on recycled boards 70 x 100 cm.

2020. Stoft V-VII. Charchoal / Tinted charcoal on MDF 100 x 50 cm.

2014. Founding of architecture and artistic practice.

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