Jonathan Darby

Presentation

Jonathan Darby spent his youth at a Rudolf Steiner School in Hertfordshire. After being expelled from the Steiner school and having no A-level qualifications Jonathan was offered an unconditional place in Central Saint Martins, London. In 2008 Jonathan graduated with a BA Honours in Fine Art.

Jonathan’s artistic concern deals with socio-political and humanitarian themes. His work portrays people in a cultural context where the innocent and vulnerable have been impacted by forces of social, economic and political change. His focus is on children, as he believes they can and will determine the future. The experiences they encounter now may have severe consequences for them and the future of their society.

Contrasting elements of softness and beauty against severe brutalities, Jonathan’s paintings are both seductive and harsh in their subject and technique. Using an array of different media with two and three dimensional elements, the paintings consist of smooth layers of paint contrasting with rough, reworked textures.

Jonathan has been working with children’s charities and is increasingly furthering this course of action.