Jonathan O'Dea MRSS

There are two major and interlinked themes that Jonathan uses to inform the ideas for his work. Firstly, how physical changes to our environment have an impact on visual culture and, secondly, how artists analytically engage with the concept of regeneration to inform their work. From within this framework Jonathan creates 3D artwork that emerges from the literal scene, or locus of 'regeneration' and that reflects this in its appearance and in the manner of its realisation. In other words, the work draws on the common contemporary meaning of the word in reference to physical sites of urban regeneration while linking it to the artist’s actual techniques, ideas and modes of practice such as assemblage and ready mades. Jonathan uses materials in his artwork that are associated literally with regeneration, such as found objects from brown field sites, recycled building materials, tools and other equipment and transforms them into indoor 3D wall mounted sculptures.

Jonathan’s work is minimalist in nature by the way he uses colour, but at the same time, complex in its physical form by the why he uses material to construct his work. Jonathan’s artistic techniques and use of materials have been strongly influence by working in the construction industry since his teens. Currently Jonathan is producing new work using materials from the Crossrail project.