Review by Michelle Doust

I had the pleasure of viewing some of Jonathan's work in his studio in Walthamstow a couple of weeks ago. The textures and composition of the Changing Spaces works stimulated not only my visual senses but also provoked a desire to touch the work in order to explore its various components. I was particularly struck by the contrast within each piece; monochrome and “quiet” backgrounds interrupted, sometimes brutally so, by the imposing structures of the objects Jonathan had sourced from the Lee Valley. I interpreted this as though the calm surroundings (nature) had had its tranquility and natural order shattered by the found objects (man-made materials/industry).

Deconstructed Landscape 1

I was particularly drawn to the works Deconstructured Landscape 1 and 2 which consist of painted, white wood chips arranged, in what appears to be a gravity defying arrangement, against a black background. Alongside the obvious colour contrast these pieces, again, suggest a disruption of order and peace. However, I didn’t interpret this disorder as necessarily being violent or brutal but more of a reflection of movement and the passing of time. The way the wood chip has been layered almost looks like they were thrown from a box and their movement has been captured mid-air, like fragments of time, thus capturing the concept of change and portraying it in a very tangible outcome.

Deconstructed Landscape 2