Jonathan
Lawes

Is geometry a constraint or a freedom for you — and has that answer ever changed?

Geometry is a real freedom for me - it’s my visual language. And this is very unlikely to change as it’s part of who I am and how I portray myself. It’s been with me since the beginning and is something that is vitally important to both me and practice. It’ll develop over time and I’ll adapt it in places, but the true fundamentals of it will always be there.

Walk us through your process — where does a piece begin, and how do you know it's finished?

I start off with what I like to call my’ library of shapes’ - a collection of forms that I’ve become accustomed to using over the years. I don’t like to plan too much in advance and instead let the compositions form organically over time. During the printing process these shapes are almost ‘collaged’ together, creating intricate compositions fuelled by the process itself and that embrace experimentation. Subtle layering effects emerge that balance shape, colour, and texture with a refined, intuitive approach. There is no defined endpoint - this comes with time and when I feel that the composition is perfectly balanced and complete.

What does a viewer miss when they see your work as 'just geometry'?

The geometric aspect to my work is of course very important and highly visible. But by just concentrating on this you are neglecting other vital elements to the work, and possibly the most important. Colour for me, is absolutely key to practice. Striking combinations and how they interact with one another are what it’s all about. Soft, subtle layerings, that offer a sense of depth and somewhat calm, are always prevalent and help to blend fine art with design.