The Artist
Jon Rowland
Jon Rowland is an architect, anthropologist, author and artist. He started painting some 25 years ago, first in oil and then in acrylics. His professional work took him to shanty towns around the world, where he had to ‘unlearn’ orthodoxy and consider a different approach. His early mentor was Ron Freeborn who introduced him to Venice, which provided him with opportunities for abstraction.
Much later Robin Child reinforced his abstract approach through ‘finding not making’ his paintings, basically letting the paint do the talking, and knowing where to stop. This chimed with the ‘unlearning’ approach, and his work became totally abstract.
“My aim is to bring these characteristics together as contemporary art that is grounded in ‘place’.”
Jon draws on locations that have played a part in his ‘artistic journey’, exploring space, light and colour, and it is this juxtaposition. He manipulates emerging abstraction to express the essence of a particular ‘place’.
“Painting is a journey. One starts at one space – the blank canvas – and hopefully ends at a resolution. Sometimes one gets lost, my aim in this journey is to create original contemporary art that is grounded in ‘place’. Sometimes the picture takes on a life of its own, often creating new challenges, Chance and opportunity are travelling companions, but the art is to know when the journey is complete.”
Jon is pleased to partner with Wychwood Art Gallery, selling contemporary art online.
If you like the images on my website and want to know more, please contact: [email protected]
Most Recent Exhibitions
Harbour Gallery
Kirkudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, DG6 4LD 2nd June 2025 to 16th June 2025Kirkudbright is noted for it being the “artists’ town” and is a traditional county town, with a history of artists both visiting and living there. It has been known as the ‘Pont Aven’ of the North. It has had a long association with the Glasgow art movement. Artists, including the Glasgow Boys, and the famed […]
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Wolfson College
Wolfson College, Oxford 8th October 2023 to 9th December 2023Wolfson College in Oxford was the venue for an exhibition of recent paintings. The College Art Committee, aware of previous exhibitions, hosted ‘Ancient and Natural Spaces – a Personal Journey’. Some 25 recent paintings of 2023 were shown in this masterly designed college. I drew on complex built environments and natural scenery. The results were ancient spaces […]
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Latest News
News from Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, The Artists’ Town
Visitors to my exhibition in Kirkcudbright numbered nearly 600. The testimonials were captured and some of them are set out below. Ranks with Hamish MacDonald and Joan Eardley. Some very interesting pieces with evocative light moods. Fascinating and sometimes sensual but altogether enthralling. He’s a real artist! Amazing. He paints as he feels – nothing […]
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