Artist Interview with Jonathan Lawes

‍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.