The Steeple Times asks artist Leonard Johansson: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Inspiration, creativity and free will.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Show, don´t tell.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Starvation and overconsumption are unacceptable.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
At this point in my life and career, the only things I miss are my rehearsal studio and my girlfriend.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Something that can’t be bought for money.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
My opinion is that some play by the rules and others don’t. So, at the end of the day, the numbers won’t match and everyone denies doing anything wrong. It´s a game.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“I’m just gonna have one drink”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Doctors Without Borders and ECPAT.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
I support new technology that is used to do good. Unfortunately since it is evolving so fast, we will encounter many bumps on the road until society can catch up with it.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
I met Jimmy Page on Paddington station last month so I would invite Led Zeppelin, Picasso, Jimi Hendrix, Jack Nicholson and my girlfriend.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
I would choose Swedish meatballs, fresh spring potatoes, lingo berries and a cold Kronenburg.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Anytime is a good time.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
An old fashioned with a twist of orange peel.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
I enjoy my artist friends’ parties the most as I find at them you never know what or why some things happen.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My father. He is a man who sees possibilities in everything.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Swedish tobacco and coffee… Loads of coffee.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
I have quite a few but the one that would sum me up would be a lion on a unicycle.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Mustang: an old one from the 1960’s.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I was nearly stung to death by wasps as a kid, I have co-written songs that have gone to the top charts in Sweden and I have dinned with the Swedish royal family twice.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A wonderful picture of my girlfriend from a fashion shoot in an abandoned factory in Spain.
Leonard Johansson is an artist. He has exhibited at Art House London, Sodastream Bearspace Gallery, Libertad, Gallery Olby and Duerr Gallery.
View his official website here.
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