In - Out: Exhibition of new artwork by Jonathan O'Dea and Neil Irons

Work by: Jonathan O'Dea

Artists, Jonathan O’Dea has teamed up with fellow artist and friend, Neil Irons to display a series of artwork that explores human’s impact on our environment, both physically and psychologically with an underlying political aspect to it. The artwork ranges in styles and techniques, from painting, drawing and sculpture. The exhibition will form part of the program of events that marks the first London Borough of Culture in Waltham Forest. The London Borough of Culture is supported by the Mayor of London.

Work by: Neil Irons

Binary choices appear to be part of the norm, where in today’s world there feels to be very little room to sit back, stop and think about what the other options could be. In the name of progress time to stop and think is secondary. Part of this binary process encompasses political decision-making, where if tough decisions aren’t made now, with clear and decisive leadership, progress will take a backward step. The need to do things ‘now’ doesn’t give room for choice or options. The pace this progress has taken, especially in East London over the last 20 to 30 years has seen many social and physical changes where we have forgotten what a normal pace of life is. In some ways Jonathan O’Dea and Neil Irons have been part of this change, where, as artists their profession has been become a marketing commodity to help sell East London as up an and coming area. But the one thing about both of these artists, is that their work has always been truly reflective, mindful and sceptical of the impact of these changes from a physical and psychological view. They have remained dedicated to what it really means to be an artist, to sit back, stop and think about what art is really about, and how its informed. There is no binary process to their methods of working, they are truly part of the slow art movement; their work is considered and always timely. There is no thread setting going on here.

Jonathan and Neil’s recent work are reflections on their place in urban London, and how this city has impacted on their sense of identity and creativity. This is reflected in their physical work, which isn’t your run of the mill landscape paintings, or sculpture. Instead you get a raw feeling from their work, were you sense that things aren’t quite right with their world. To add to this, both artists have a very out-ward looking view of the world with a very European aspect to their identity, but yet retaining their sense of personal identity with their respective birthplaces. Jonathan moving to London from rural Ireland in 1987 with his family, and Neil moving from Dundee to London in his early 20’s in the same year.

However, recent binary choices such as the referendum on Europe, to be ether to be In or Out, has brought political decision making into question. This binary choice has only exposed a long festering wound were people have for some time questioned their place in their wider environment which has now taken the form of Brexit. This binary issue is clearly reflected in Jonathan’s and Neil’s work where it explores the idea of 2 worlds in which you feel you have to either choose to be in one place or the other. Very much like how the regeneration of East London has forced people to make a stark choice, either be part of something or just disappear. However this binary process does not always provide you with options to choose; you are left floating between two worlds. Something that is very apparent in Jonathan and Neil’s recent work.

Notes from a a hanging

Q) Congratulations. It's all hung and ready to go. Apart from the sculpture how many works did you end up producing and are you happy with the way things look?

Thanks. I ended up with a total of eleven wall mounted works now hanging neatly in the Waterworks! Given the size constraints of my studio, it wasn't until the day of the hanging that I could actually see the eleven works together in a large enough space for them all to be visible. So I was really quite nervous about how things would work out and whether the individual pieces would cohere as a single conceptual show within the space.

So I am very happy and relieved at how smoothly the hanging went and how the show looks. It is great to finally be able to see it all together but I have to say a huge thanks to Neil Irons who helped me to hang the show.

There are a whole list of people I would like to thank actually so here goes.... 

• Arts Council England for funding the project 
• All the team from the Waterworks Nature Reserve and Lee Valley Park Authority especially Angela Oliva, Manager at the Waterworks and Dave Farthing, Waterworks Park Ranger (who is now an expert in conceptual art!) 
• The ODA who gave me access to the Olympic Park which helped inform the development of the  project 
• Neil Irons who continues to be a positive critic of my work and ensures I don't mess it up totally! 
• Valerie Grove who has done a brilliant job in conveying the project and the artwork through this blog 
• Tim Bennett Goodman who has always been a very good friend and support to me, and the wider cultural community of Waltham Forest 
• Thomas Hardy for his support and advice and for being a big fan of my work. 
• Andy Rogers, the Irish Embassy in Britain and also the Irish World Newspaper for support and encouragement
• Fiona Audley and Malcolm McNally from the Irish Post Newspaper 
• George Nott from the Waltham Forest Guardian 
• And finally .....  Sarah Morgan, who has constantly been there for me. 

Thank you all very much and see you tomorrow!