Tuesday 25 May 2010

John Jones Jumble Sale

June 5th-6th 10am-4pm
Frames, Stretcher Bars, Canvas, Art and more...

As part of the first stages of our building expansion, we are selling our store of acquired bespoke frames in a huge variety of styles, sizes and finishes all at discount prices. The sale will also include artist canvases, stretchers and artwork perfect for a corporate environment. Funds generated will be dedicated to the future development of our new, not for profit Project Space.

Limited additional dates are available by appointment.
Please contact:

sales.assistant@johnjones.co.uk

Transport Links: 1 minute from Finsbury Park Underground, Overground and Bus Station (Wells Terrace Exit)

Certified cheque or cash only
Ample Parking space for cars, vans and lorries making collections
Our Jumble Sale runs alongside the Art Car Boot Fair, so once you find a bargain at the car boot head over to John Jones to find a bargain deal on a frame!

Tuesday 11 May 2010

The Sunday Painter



We were intrigued to hear about this exciting new project from The Sunday Painter an artist led, non-profit organisation which seeks to promote the work of contemporary artists.

14th May sees the opening of their new gallery and inaugural show in the space Daytona Ray, an exhibition of new works from Stuart Middleton.

‘Daytona Ray’ presents an assembly of sculptural objects in conversation. A combination of reclaimed and hand crafted elements converge to produce structures of confused familiarity. Through laboured processes of treatment and manipulation, paint, wood and metal combine to reference a seemingly conflicting set of cultural attitudes, material histories and modes of production.

Private View: 13th May
6:00 - 9:00 PM

Exhibition open : 14th May - 30th May
Hours : Thursday - Sunday, 12-6 PM

If you attend - let us know what you think!

Friday 7 May 2010

Feedback from Artist Mark Shields


When all the elements of a painting lock together, when everything seems to have found its rightful place, the painter is as close as he can ever be to claiming the picture is finished. But if the work is to be framed then the painting is in a sense still being continued. Thoughtless framing has the power to undermine the delicate balance of forms and colours so assiduously constructed by the artist.

As a result many painters prefer to leave their works unframed, others make and colour the frames themselves. A great deal of trust is required to leave one's pictures in the hands of a framer. It's not always understood that a painter doesn't merely want a frame which suits his work- which in my view is one which does not draw attention to itself, does not weaken the essential functions of the painting yet at the same time satisfactorily contains the image, concentrating the viewer's gaze- but also one which is compatible with the actual ideas or mood communicated in the work. This is why a framer willing to work closely with the artist is important but rare.

With Matt Jones and his framing team one is immediately reassured of not merely willingness but an eagerness to have this involvement where possible. There is at once the confidence that this is an experienced team at both framing and at listening to artist's ideas. Only when a frame finally surrounds a painting is the extent of its effect fully visible. Few of us have the time or money to have a selection of frames made to aid our decision so again it is essential to feel confident in the framer's judgment and once again even when decisions have to be made speedily I feel reassured that, should something unforeseen occur, the John Jones team would have the discernment to alter accordingly or seek the artists opinion again.

I, in co-operation with my gallery, Grosvenor Gallery, have been using John Jones for framing on and off since 1997 and with the work ranging from sharply defined realist Heads and still life’s through to dark, low contrast landscapes and a couple of official portrait commissions thrown in along the way the team have had plenty to challenge them. No 'one frame suits all' here. 'John Jones' is one of three different framers who have helped with this latest body of work, "Here and Elsewhere".

The paintings that Paul Tame and his colleagues have been working on are mostly 5ft by 4ft with one 6ft by 5ft and have a very matt, chalky surface giving the impression they could be sections removed from ancient tomb paintings or chapel frescoes. Since this surface is bound up with the technique and ultimately the meaning of the works they needed to remain unglazed. It seemed best that the selected moulding should not sit out too far from the picture plane and not be too elaborate or glossy. The subjects have a pared-down and primitive quality so the frames needed to be quite austere and yet have a recognisable stamp of quality to their finish. Not too grand or Drawing-Room-like. Within quite tight time constraints Paul and his team produced very pleasing results.

Keeping the same profile for all the works, the frames were given a subtly scored and speckled distressed appearance, the colouring of each unobtrusively matched to each individual painting echoing their earthy tones and surfaces sensitively.

The width of frame suited the scale of the works well and the deep sides gave the pictures the substantial weightiness required to accentuate the appearance of an almost carved and chiseled shallow relief suggested in the technique. All of this enhanced the monumental quality I was hoping to achieve in the works. My congratulations and thanks again to all at John Jones for their hard work, advice and support (the team also very kindly showed up at the preview- which is beyond the call of duty when they have so many shows to frame for).

Tuesday 4 May 2010

New Installation by Sarah Kate Wilson


We were excited to hear that our former Artist in Residence Sarah Kate Wilson is currently displaying TESTBED a new large scale public installation in Elcho Street, Battersea.



Installed across two garage doors, Is it Christmas Already? measures 18m in length and will run until 23rd May.

Alongside this, Sarah Kate Wilson will be presenting her degree show in June, as she graduates from the Slade School of Art. Her work embodies the delight and rebellion of contemporary painting and challenge expectations of what painting should be about.

For more information on Sarah Kate Wilson please click here.