Jona8than Green Art and Other Things

He might not be my favourite artist in the world, and he definitly works in an area of interest very different than my own, but I would have to say he wuld be a good artist to hold as example. He is so very smart, and intellegent in his work, that I in a way envy him and his hardwork.

Here's a link to ashow at the MOMA

Jonathan Green
Artist Statement

My work deals with the ideas of death and loss, through the use of objects, space, and narrative. I use objects that have contain small memories and history to them, and by placing them in created and often neutral spaces, to convey the larger ideas of mortality and loss. I use the medium of drawing, for it can show the sensitively and vulnerabilities of being human. It is like a slow motion version of thought, for the process of drawing can be imprecise, and uncertain. Drawing captures this by the power of it being an unmediated impression of the artists hand and mark on the surface.

My research is very intuitive and habitual, a part of my daily routine. My research is engaged in areas of art, philosophy, gender issues, sexuality, sociology, literature and an increased interest in thanatology. Death and loss factor in my research in ideas dealing with how mortality and death are dealt with in western cultures, as in issues of confronting and overcoming. Ideas on desire and death have also become an idea of note as of late, the idea that death and desire are linked.

My current artwork has contemporary relevance in the art of Luc Tuymans, Toba Khedoori, Marcel van Eden and Michael Borremans. My art is also influenced by Nietzschean and existentialist philosophy, and many literary influences in works of fiction and poetry such as: Auster, Bukowski, Herbert, Gaiman, and Urquhart.

Jonathan Green was born two weeks late and seeing out of only one eye. [Jonathan prefers to be referred to as Jonathan, sans surname, when talked about in the third person.] Jonathan grew up in Carbonear, and came to art school upon realizing it was the best thing for him. His interests include reading, philosophy, sandwiches, fashion, masculinity, watching fighting, dystopian and apocalyptic elements, drawing, painting, printmaking, and an increased interest in thanatology. Oscar Wilde tells a bit about Jonathan, and Bukowski, Hynes perhaps tell more. Jonathan completed a co-op internship at St. Michael’s Print Shop last year, and has just recently received the St. Michael’s Don Wight Scholarship for 2008-2009.


I think this might need to be cut down a bit

“Drawing for me is about fluidity. There may be a vague sense of what you're going to draw but things occur during the process that may modify, consolidate or shed doubts on what you know. So drawing is a testing of ideas: a slow-motion version of thought. It does not arrive instantly like a photograph. The uncertain and imprecise way of constructing a drawing is sometimes a model of how to construct meaning. What ends in clarity does not begin that way.”

William Kentridge, pressPlay


“Finally, drawing is the medium that most sensitively registers the vulnerabilities and subtleties of being human. This has something to do with the touch, with the unmediated impression of hand on surface. "I like the sense of intimacy," Ed Pien says. "When I'm drawing I'm dealing with a small area but that area is so big in my head that when I glance at it I can see the whole world in front of me."

Robert Enright, Dehuman exhibition catalogue


Mainly large scale drawings, on paper and board. Media of graphite, charcoal, and possibly tar.
Media is of contrasts substances, one very fragile, and one very substantial. The same could be said of the supports. A range of mark making can be explored with all choices.

An exploration of the process of drawing, the concepts of death, mortality, apocalypse, destruction, violence,etc.

“I want to go to a place that’s seems like it’s at the end of the world. A vantage point from which one can stand and peer out in to the void—the world beyond…there is nothing to lean on. No references…

You finally realize that the void is yourself. It is like some huge mirror for your mind. Clear and uncluttered, it is the opposite of our urban distractive spaces. Out here, the unbound mind can run free. Imagination reigns. Space becomes a projection screen. Inside becomes outside. You can see what you are.”

Bill Viola


Will be using the subject and concepts matter of deserts, barrens, oceans,etc. to represent this idea of the void and absence. The paper is like these spaces, and it is a space itself, it can become the mirror for the mind.

My work is informed by artists such as Ed Pien, William Kentridge, Marcel Dzama, Toba Khedoori along with a background of science fiction authors and their book covers, as well as graphic novels and comic books.

Performance and video may factor in to the work as well, but it will be consistent with the drawings. Exploring the interaction of the subject matter and the artist as a drawing is created. This idea is still in the “thought” phase.

Formal elements of drawing will becomes part of the subject, vanishing points of perspective in particular and ... hopefully.

"The gun beside the bed is there for effect - everything I do is for effect - but it is real and it is loaded. I like to remind myself that every morning I'm making a choice to live. "

Sebastian Horsley

I enjoy him a lot, the idea of getting crucified in the Phillipines,[ I thought of that myself one time on watching an Our Lonely Planet show]. the wearing of expensive suits while painting [which I have done, but cheaper suits], to the devil may care personality.

I also enjoyed this quote when speaking also again of his home:
" I bought the flat for £200,000, but the bank really owns it as I've had to keep re-mortgaging to pay my tailors' bills. I've just heard that I'm in negative equity, which I'm quite happy about as it goes with the rest of my personality."

It just so appealling to me.

I have been thinking about performance and actions art lately. So thats while Sebastian pop up. Him and Chris Burden, the artist who has been crucified to the Volkswagon Beetle, and also shot at. Those kind of actions intrigue me. I can see myself doing something similar, or is hoping, wanting. Thats a inner debate there I suppose. It sometimes feel my art is much quieter than I act out, least my more sucessful pieces. My attempts at louder pieces, for lack of better words, never seem to come to past. Lack of guts perhaps? ...

Have to ponder more

I came across this art show through the catalog at the Art Gallery at school. I found it very interesting, seeing my interest in drawing. I won't go in to it too much here, but seemed like a great show.

The catalog had a few nice essays/blurbs, one being this"

Finally, drawing is the medium that most sensitively registers the vulnerabilities and subtleties of being human. This has something to do with the touch, with the unmediated impression of hand on surface. "I like the sense of intimacy," Ed Pien says. "When I'm drawing I'm dealing with a small area but that area is so big in my head that when I glance at it I can see the whole world in front of me."

-Robert Enright

Christmas was very good. I always enjoy Christmas, and while the title of this post may seem slightly blase and only focused on acquisitions, but it untrue. I just enjoy being home. But this blog is suppose to be more work related, so titled it so.

I received the Phaidon book, Ice Cream , which shows contemporary art of the world choose by 10 different curators. Only started reading today, but very interesting so far.

I have also received from a friend of mine, a set of sumi ink brushes, traditionally used for Asian calligraphy and painting. It seems like a very nice set, and I was looking at ordering some the other day on a website. I am hoping to use them for some drawing this year for my said fourth year.

I have been reading up on Asian ink painting lately, trying to get a hold of the aesthetics of it. Not trying tot totally appropriate it, bt rather understand it. I feel a slight connection to it. But more on that later