In the first week of our Upmarket artists

profiles, organiser Steven Jones joins Jon Sherwood

ANYONE remotely interested in Newport’s art scene will certainly be familiar with the name Jon Sherwood.

Jon has long been a leading light of Newport’s creative community and has proved instrumental in providing artists a platform from which to exhibit their work.

Jon’s current practice has seen him move away from large scale paintings to a more sculptural approach, drawing heavily on his early experiences.

He said: “I like to take inspiration from the places where I played as a kid, then invest them with multi-layered narratives and personal symbolism.”

Recently, Jon has been the subject of a documentary by filmmaker Massimo Salvatore, currently in post-production. Jon hopes the film will shed light on “what it is like to be an artist making art out of living rather than just making a living out of art”. The film Jonny will be released next year.

A key member of the Empty Shops project and a founding member of the Artopsy group, Jon is characteristically optimistic about the Upmarket Galleries.

He said: “It is a great opportunity for artists and the public to come together to chat about all manner of issues, not just art. To have an all-inclusive environment in the very heart of Newport is ideal.”

Jon is excited about the future of the Upmarket Galleries and how its central position in Newport will allow artists to become an integral part of city life.

He added: “I can genuinely see a return to those halcyon days when Newport’s Art College played a pivotal role in the social make-up of the town. The current spirit of optimism among Newport’s artists and citizens is filling a social void and we feel very pleased about being in the very heart of the city as this change occurs.”

See Jon’s work at the Upmarket Galleries, Newport Provisions Market.