Syl: Why are you getting involved in Wychwood Festival?
Jon: I’ve been involved with Wychwood from the very first year. I started out as a venue manager in the workshop area and then developed a range of different workshops and exhibitions over the years. Its a great festival with a really good atmosphere and a great place for just meeting people, seeing some good music and just having a really good time. Over the years I have progressed in my involvement and now do all the illustration art work for the website and posters as well as doing some photography around the site.
Syl: Tell us more about your workshop.
Jon: This year I am holding an art exhibition which I am really looking forward to. The starting point for my work has been a walk between my house in North Oxfordshire – I live next to the Wychwood Forest – and Cheltenham. I am interested in journeys, boundaries and routes and have explored this through collecting different items found on various journeys around the world and my recent walk to Cheltenham. The work will be exhibited at The Meantime Gallery in Cheltenham a few days before the festival with a private view on the 2nd of June. Please do come along if you are able. www.meantime.org.uk
I made a large installation for Wychwood last year entitled ‘So What Do You Think?’. I basically made a shop front, about 4 meters wide with the help of my father in law Dave. The door had a question spray painted on to it stating ‘We all need to…’ , the walls of the shop were covered in blackboard paint and I invited people to answer the question by writing on the walls in chalk, thus, making an interactive piece of work which people can contribute their ideas and thoughts. I will be adding to this piece again and exhibiting it along with my other work for people to enjoy this year.
Syl: Tell us more about yourself and your other programmes?
Jon: By day I am Head of Art at Princes Risborough School in Buckinghamshire which is a really great job and takes up alot of my time. The rest of the time I spend producing my own art work which ranges from making large installations through to paintings, I am also a live music photographer and write for Oxford Music Scene magazine.
Syl: What are your plans for the rest of 2010?
Jon: I will be doing some photography at a few different festivals over the months and starting ‘Far Out Workshops’ at a few events as well where we will be running some clay and willow sculpture workshops for people of all ages…. and then having a rest come September!
