Personal Statement

I was born in Bedfordshire in 1970, the last child of twelve, raised in a dysfunctional family whose make do and mend war ethics mixed with hippy and punk aesthetics influenced my childhood. I found that my only escape from realism was whilst being creative.

My practice explores the humanised environment. I attempt to encapsulate transient situations, be they personal, local or global. The art forms I create are an assemblage of objects and narratives addressing my own sensitivity (anguish, desire, frustration) associated with my need to explore life in all of its guises; sub culture, cut and paste culture, subversion, perversion and submission. The art forms I construct utilise mixed media often combining painting/drawing, poetry, photography, construction, sound, motion and lighting.

Reflective Thoughts

Being mentored by Franko B has been a term of endearment. I am now nearing the end of the mentoring scheme and my mind is still an intangible mess of emotion and devotion to the arts in all of it guises. The year has opened my eyes and broadened my horizons. It has allowed me the time to trial new ideas, to develop a new way of thinking. It has inspired me and frustrated me; nevertheless, it has left me wanting more.

I now know that my work has a place in the global confusion. I can say that I work as an Interdisciplinary Visual Artist who cannot be contained in one box. There is more to learn; however, there is more to come. Consumption of all things in general is what drives my practice.

Thanks go to Franko et al.

Reflections by David Kefford after a studio visit with Jon Falconer at Digswell Arts Trust September 2007

Jon M Falconer is an artist/performer working towards a Public Art Gallery/Museum solo exhibition in the Eastern region. He aims to create environments and installations by dissecting spaces making some claustrophobic pathways, sites, maps of his visual diary throughout the urban/natural environment. His intention is to invite the audience to respond to the work and actively become involved themselves.

His work remembers times past of youthful innocence; when life was seemingly uncomplicated and carefree - playing soldiers in meadows with fake toy guns. His childhood memories and formative years of making do and getting by drive his practice alongside his cut and paste Grunge/Punk aesthetic. His bedroom doodles/thoughts/scrapbooks evoking teenage angst combine with current affairs and political messages. He is a resourceful artist by using and commenting on the 'stuff' around him.

Jon is happy to use his art as a kind of therapeutic device, which allows a realisation about him through the making process. His work has a direct relation to the world and society; addressing the public/private debate. The work attempts to cut across age, gender and religion; being non-restrictive.

Within his installations, everything is laid bare, taking its chances. There is a sense of urgency to the making process - no time to waste, nothing to loose. He has a desire to make, need to make, necessity to make and a want to make. Nevertheless, his work contains playfulness, humour, child-like behaviour and sometimes a 'dash of kitsch'.