Jonathan Lawes | Interview

GRAPHIC JONATHAN

Art in Offices are proud to present you with Jonathan Lawes, an outstandingly talented, bold designer and printmaker currently based in London. Jonathan is a killer visual creator, with a keen eye for colour and playful layering techniques. Jonathan creates exquisite prints with a distinctly graphic edge, reflecting his love of geometry, shape and pattern. Jonathan divides his time between designing for a variety of interior clients and working on his own silkscreen prints and other super cool handmade products. It was great to catch-up with Jonathan, we’re really excited he’s here, enjoy!

  • When did you first fall in love with art, and realise that you wanted to pursue it as a career?
  • It all came about during my Art GCSE at school. We had a new teacher arrive and she brought a well needed breathe of fresh air into the department. I was introduced to new techniques and the whole experience became less rigid. I loved the experimental aspect and as a consequence my creative side really blossomed. But it wasn’t really until after university, doing internships both home and abroad, that I realised I could do this full-time and make a career out of it.
  • Your work features a distinctly graphic edge, stunning geometric shapes and patterns. What draws you to these subjects?
  • I’ve always been drawn to graphic shapes and patterns from a young age so it all comes naturally. It’s what my eye is drawn too, sometimes without me even realising. 
  • You spend some of your time designing for a variety of interior clients. Is there a dream space worldwide where you would like to create an artwork?
  • I’ve been lucky enough to have my artwork in some great places already, so that’s a tough question. I feel privileged to have my work anywhere. Somewhere big, spacious, and viewable by many people is all I’d look for.
  • What are some of the differences for you inspiration-wise between Berlin and London?
  • Both cities are great and have their certain qualities. I don’t really get my inspiration from any particular element, instead drawing on a variety of different things whether that be colour, shape, composition, etc. What I will say is that after living in Berlin for just shy of 8 years, London has been a welcome change.
  • Any current projects you can talk about?
  • I’ve recently just finished working on a series of 5 limited edition prints exclusively for COS. You can check them out at their Coal Drops Yard store in London.
  • Have you collaborated with other artists? Do you have any artists you would like to collaborate with?
  • I haven’t really done any major collaborations with other artists, but it’s definitely something that I’d be interested in in the future. I’ve worked with a variety of brands before and if there was one I could choose to work with it’d probably be Marimekko. I love their style and aesthetic and think my work would compliment that.
  • If you could communicate one thing to an upcoming artist about being represented what would it be?
  • Just get your work out there. I always encounter a lot of people holding back, worrying about things, searching for perfection before they show it. Of course things like a website and presentation are key, but don’t let that prevent you from sharing your work with people. These things can be fine tuned at a later date and shouldn’t stop you in your tracks.
  • One last hard question... What's your favourite colour?
  • Choosing a specific favourite colour is a really difficult one because I’m more interested in how colours can compliment each other and work together. But if I was really pushed to answer I think I’d have to go for a bright orange. It features a lot in my work and I’m always drawn to it.