Jonathan Crowther, Artist, Lethbridge Gallery
An adventurous spirit and a fertile imagination ...
After first dabbling in sculpture, carving figures out of stone, artist Jonathan Crowther began to experiment with painting, finding his niche in vivid displays of photorealism. Jonathan surfaced as an artist to watch in 2009, when he won the Churchie National Emerging Art Award, going on to achieve many more accolades for his work. His first solo show at Lethbridge Gallery in Paddington opens this Saturday February 23, running until Thursday March 7. Pages of History shows how the detours of everyday life take on their own particular shape and form, independent of our intentions. Crafted in his studio in Byron Bay, Jonathan’s works draw focus to the unfolding of our true nature through the simplicity and subtlety of a scrunched up piece of paper, combining minimalism and detail through photorealism on canvas. The Weekend Edition caught up with Jonathan to discover his perfect weekend.
How do you like to start your weekend?
With some live music, a beer and a boogie on the dance floor.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
Have a cup of well-brewed coffee and read the paper (well, only the arts section really, which unfortunately is quite small) with my mobile phone turned off.
How do you like to unwind?
I find jogging really helps me unwind. The physical motion forces me into the body and out of the ramblings of the mind.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
An adventurous spirit and a fertile imagination.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
I would really like to go hang gliding in Byron Bay and float above the ocean.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
I am partial to a bit of television, particularly The Graham Norton Show. It’s nice to spend the beginning of the new week laughing.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
The opening of my exhibition Pages of History at Lethbridge Gallery and seeing what unfolds.
What are you reading at the moment?
The Silent Transformations by Francois Jullien. It’s a book that unpacks the differences between Chinese and Western thought and culture.
What inspires you?
Our potential and how far we have to go until we truly reach it.
What was your childhood dream?
To meet Sandy and sing ‘You’re The One That I Want’ with her.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Waking up with a smile each day.
What is success to you?
Humility.
What are your words of wisdom?
Knowledge is what we acquire over time, wisdom is learning how to use it.
Only a local would know … that when the jacarandas are in bloom, it’s examination time for university students.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … PUK Espresso, Kangaroo Point.
Relax … At the beach, any beach.
Dine … A great little French restaurant called Rhubarb Rhubarb in Wooloowin.
Indulge … You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice-cream.
Shop … West End Markets, affordable and healthy shopping.
Catch-up … Avid Reader, West End.
Be inspired … in front of a Lee Ufan painting (part of the GOMA collection).
