Bio/statement

"WHAT IF DEREKJARMAN" new work @ The Illusion Exhibition

Artist Information

Artist Statement

Biography -

Stephen Jones

Has two Children

From London UK born 1960.

His practice is based in London and Shepperton.

Works in oils and multimedia, and focus is centred around postmodern Figurative subjects.

Has lived in many different countries since leaving England in 1986 travelling for Work and Education.

Trained in England, Scotland, Italy and New York USA (see below)

His work has been exhibited in Italy, USA and the UK.

His Paintings can be found in many private collections internationally and continue to be sought by collectors World wide.

He returned recently to London UK after 33 years abroad, and now lives in Shepperton with his Cat MrC

Artist Statement

Influenced by much of the present thinking around postmodernism. His recent works under the banner of " ICONOCLAST" is a conscious decision to bring together his artistic and cultural experiences in to a coherent form, albeit a very personal one.

"I have spent many years trying to find a way of reconciling the many artistic and cultural influences and values I have studied and enjoyed over the years. I realised that I was constantly asked to choose, especially within my pier groups. The isolation of Covid and the move back to the UK gave me the distance to think and reconcile what It was I wanted to say .

Where ever I lived and worked I experienced a very common theme of how art used icons to recall a time, attitude , value and style; cultural even nationalistic points of reference. They also help reinforce personal identity, by inclusion and exclusion. It is becoming very clear that as information, orientation, identification and globalisation leaves us all questioning our historic influences and attitudes our artistic references need to be able to help make sense of it, if only as an Iconic symbol of the schizophrenia we currently live in.

I must therefore use all the my references to identify my thoughts, position and emotion in creating work. No matter how odd it may seem at first I hope these works represents my space and time.

Recent works, a series of 6 painting, fully capture influences of Pre and post Cezanne, as well as the past 40+ years of postmodernism. Using the familiarity of iconic, historic works for reference and comprehension and by allowing personal experiences to be referential and contemporary.

"I think this can deal with historically incompatible attitudes in a positive non conflictual way, through appropriation, parody, irony and personal experiences."

My inspiration seems to always begin with a person or character, usually an image or occasionally a statement. But it is the person that populates my creativity. Driving an associated theme or thought that they evoke or represent.

Recent works have allowed for greater creative freedom, without concern for explicit narrative. A desire for solid immediate visual impact and the slow burn of realising there is something being said for those that need that.

I want my work to be hopeful, Up-beat, positive and full of energy even when they deal with tough moments in life!

ABOUT

Studies

Work Experience in Scotland, Gerald Laing sculpture & foundry 1979, 80, 81

University of Sussex Maths Philosophy/Epistemology 1978-81

Rome University of Fine art. (RUFA) Corso Libero di Pittura 2007-2011

New York Art Students League (ASL)Figurative painting 2012- 2018

Mary Beth Mckensie Workshop 2013, 14, 15, 16

Peter Cox Workshop 2016, 2017

Peter Cox life drawing and Anatomy, private studio 2016, 2017

Heatherleys School of Fine art Diploma in Portraiture 2019-2021

Heatherleys SFA Post Graduate Diploma in Figurative Painting 2021-22

Awards:

Fellow of the Worshipful company of Stainers and painters award 2021

Heatherleys Portrait award 2021

Best in show ArtStudentsLeague 2016

Best in Show Rufa 2010

Exhibitions

Rome La Rufart Gallery dell’Accademia 2010

Solo Exhibition @ JuJu Gallery Rome 2010

NY Gallery 35nyc Group Exhibition 2017

NY Exhibitions Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery 2012 ,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 2018

London Heatherleys Yr1 Exhibition 2020

London Heatherleys graduation Exhibition 2021

London Heatherleys Post Graduate Dip Exhibition 2022

London Permanent display Lots Rd Kitchen Therapy 2020 to date

Windsor UK Exhibition Michael Chell 2022 Nov in progress Jones

Has lived in many different countries since leaving England in 1986 travelling for Work and Education.

His work have been exhibited in Italy, USA and the UK.

His Paintings can be found in many private collections internationally and continue to be sort by collectors World wide.

He returned recently to London, after 33 years, to the welcome of Brexit and Covid! Isolation and challenging finances really has helped consolidate his determination to develop a creative practice.

Influenced by much of the present thinking around postmodernism, and recent breakthroughs in reconciling his many experiences and cultural influences. "I have found hope and motivation in the realisation that all these elements can be inclusive without prejudice or fear. Making sense of Art's present schizophrenia to convert to wholesomeness. Confusion is now turned to decisiveness and energy. "

His recent works, a series of 6 paintings, fully capture influences of Pre and post Cezanne, as well as the past 40+ years of postmodernism. Using the familiarity of iconic, historic works for comfort. Allowing his personal experiences to be referential and contemporary. "I think this can help many people deal with historically incompatible attitudes in a positive non conflictual way, through appropriation, parody, irony and personal experiences."

His inspiration seems to always begin with a person, usually an image or occasionally a statement. But it is the person that populates his creativity. Driving an associated theme or thought that they evoke or represent.

His recent works have allowed for greater creative freedom, without concern for explicit narrative. A desire for solid immediate visual impact and the slow burn of realising there is something being said for those that need that. Up-beat, positive and full of energy, with that “oh yeah” slice of comfort!