Joel Pettersson (1892–1937) was a painter and writer who lived almost his entire life in Norrby Lemland, on the Åland Islands, Finland. He remained an obscure figure during his lifetime as most of his writings were unpublished for decades after his death. Pettersson began writing and painting in his early school years, and around 1913 he moved to Turku to study at the drawing school Åbo Ritskola: he stayed there until 1915, when he decided to abort his studies and return to Åland. Upon his return and until 1921, Pettersson was most active as a writer, and also painted actively for a few years after the art school. His parents both died in 1928, leaving Pettersson to care for the family’s farm but his constant economic difficulties and work load took their toll. In 1936, he suffered a nervous breakdown and was committed to Grelsby Asylum, where he remained until his death in early 1937.
