Johannes Daniel: Ghosts ghosts burn to shine

Bodies, arms, legs, heads, parts nestle together in the centre of the canvas. Crowded together, a defensive, united group. An arm stretches upwards, and perhaps this really is ‘freedom’ leading the people? As strong as the figures appear, they seem fragmentary and incomplete as individuals. Johannes Daniel achieves two things here. He reflects on the collective uncertainties of our present, which is marked by upheaval. And he creates powerful images of tender affection and the strength of the collective, thus opening up the perspective of finding support rather than differences in encounters. ‘Ghosts burn to shine’ is a loving utopia and a colourful emotion. What a celebration to start the new year with!

Johannes Daniel, born in Halle/Saale in 1987, lives and works in Leipzig. He studied at the Academy of Visual Arts in Leipzig and graduated in 2017 as a master student under Professor H.C. Ottersbach.
Johannes Daniel is currently exhibiting at the Drents Museum Assen (NL) as part of the exhibition ‘Hotspot Leipzig’ (group show). He can also be seen at the Backyardarchive, Vienna (AT). At the end of February 2026, he will be exhibiting at the Künstlerhaus Wien (AT) as part of the exhibition ‘Im erweiterten Raum’ (In Expanded Space) – in collaboration with STRABAG ART AWARD.
In 2024, he exhibited at the Museum No Hero Delden (NL). He is represented in numerous public collections, such as the Museum der bildenden Künste – MdbK, Leipzig, the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, the Sammlung Hildebrand, G2 Kunsthalle, Leipzig and the STRABAG Kunstforum in Vienna.

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