Jon Koko

Jon Koko’s (b. 1988, lives and works in Malmö, Sweden) practice is rooted in memory, observation, and the subtle poetry of everyday spaces. His work reflects travels, fleeting impressions, and a fascination with the passing world, which he distills into serene, dreamlike landscapes. Employing a pale Scandinavian palette and simple, flattened forms, Koko constructs slow, contemplative compositions where motion is suggested through static scenes: rippling water, quiet streets, and architecture. Human figures, when present, appear as delicate accents of color, harmoniously integrated into the surrounding environment, evoking balance, simplicity, and tranquility. Long captivated by Eastern philosophy and aesthetics, particularly Japanese visual traditions, Koko infuses his work with meditative qualities and understated elegance.

Jon Koko lives in Malmö, Sweden, but maintains close ties with Japan, where he has undertaken residencies and studied traditional art forms. He trained at the Karuizawa Mokuhanga School (Nagano) and the Kyoto International Mokuhanga School, complementing his studies in Japanese art, architecture, and visual culture in Uppsala, Sweden. Koko has exhibited internationally, with solo shows at Alzueta Gallery (Madrid), Norrgavel (Malmö), and Vacant Gallery (Tokyo). His work has appeared in group exhibitions across Europe, North America, and Asia, including Galerie Lulla (Los Angeles), and has been featured in fairs such as KIAF Seoul and ART Central Hong Kong.