Mike Jones - Biography

Mike Jones Artist Painter Pontardawe Fountain Fine Art Llandeilo

Mike Jones paints from his studio in the village of Pontardawe in the Swansea Valley. He exhibits widely across Wales and shows regularly at The Albany Gallery, Cardiff , The Attic Gallery, Swansea , Oriel Pen y Fan , Brecon and recently at Fountain Fine Art, Llandeilo.

Born in 1941, Mike is a prolific artist who takes inspiration from the Welsh culture in which he grew up and is heavily influenced by the lives of the people and places of the valley .His subject matter is drawn from his observations both past and present.

Brought up in the mining community of Godre`rgraig his images reflect the hard living conditions that his family and neighbours often had to endure. Paintings and drawings of women scrubbing steps, baking, hanging out washing, or simply sitting sharing a quiet moment with the onlooker, contrast with the granite figures of men who worked in the thriving steel and coal industries, yet both convey the individuality and richness of their lives.

The rugged landscape of the upper valley is boldly interpreted in expressive paintings and drawings of windswept hedgerows of red hawthorn, remnants of old mine workings, isolated farmhouses and old chapel buildings.

During the early nineties Mike met and became friends with two artists he had admired for many years, Will Roberts and Josef Herman.

“I have been familiar with Mike Jones`s work for some years, finding it always good, always imaginative…. Talented and sensitive , he must stand well now with the better Welsh painters.”

(Will Roberts 1997)

“The figures in black and white stay on in my mind….I am also impressed with the texture of his oil pastels….he is extremely gifted”.

(Josef Herman R.A.; 1998)

Artist`s Statement

“In drawing and painting, I endeavour to give emotions, ideas and memories a permanent form. I find inspiration in simple subject matter and through my art try to convey emotion and attitude which I hope will connect with the viewer.”…Mike Jones

Exhibitions

1985 Ceri Richards Gallery, Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea-“John UzzellEdwards and Friends” WAC

1990 Ystradgynlais Library-Solo exhibition

1992 New Gallery, Swansea-Selected artists

1993 Gorseinon Institute- Solo exhibition, WAC

1994 Attic Gallery, Swansea – Selected artists

1995 Menter Aman Tawe – Solo exhibition

1996 Pontardawe Arts Centre – Solo exhibition, WAC

1997 Attic Gallery, Swansea – Selected artists – 35 th Anniversary

1997 Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff –LAING Exhibition

1998 Bristol Cathedral –LAING Regional Finalists Exhibition

1998 Mall Galleries, London –LAING National Finalists Exhibition

1998 Attic Gallery, Swansea – two man show with Nick Holly

1998 St David`s Hall, Cardiff – “Looking Without Prejudice”

1998 Pontardawe Arts Centre – Solo exhibition, WAC

1998 Albany Gallery, Cardiff –show with Nick Holly, William Selwyn

1999 Rhondda Heritage Gallery – Rhondda Open Art Exhibition

1999 Attic Gallery, Swansea – Selected artists

1999 Pontardawe Arts Centre – two man show James Donovan, WAC

2000 Attic Gallery, Swansea - two man show with Chris Griffin

2000 St David`s Hall Cardiff – Welsh Artist Of The Year Exhibition- Selected artists

2000 Attic Gallery, Swansea – Spring into Summer Exhibition- Selected artists

2000 Albany Gallery, Cardiff – Summer Exhibition - Selected artists

2000 Oriel Theatre Brycheiniog – Solo exhibition WAC

2001 St David`s Hall, Cardiff – Welsh Artist Of The Year ( Highly Commended )

2001 Attic Gallery, Swansea – Summer Exhibition - Selected artists

2001 Glynn Vivian Gallery Swansea – Swansea Open - Selected artists

2002 Albany Gallery, Cardiff- four man show, , Griffin,Coles,Atkins

2002 St David`s Hall, Cardiff – Summer Exhibition - Selected artists

2002 Attic Gallery, Swansea – Summer Exhibition, 40 th Anniversary Selected artists

2002 Albany Gallery, Cardiff – Summer Exhibition - Selected artists

2002 Glynn Vivian Gallery, Swansea – Swansea Open - Selected artists

2002 St David`s Hall, Cardiff – International Festival of Musical Theatre - Selected artists

2002 Attic Gallery, Swansea – Christmas Exhibition - Selected artists

2002 Albany Gallery, Cardiff – Christmas Exhibition - Selected artists, including Josef

Herman RA, L S Lowry RA, John Piper , Andrew Vicari and others

2002 St David`s Hall, Cardiff – Christmas Exhibition - Selected artists

2003 Gwyn Hall Gallery, Neath – Artists Supporting Urdd Eisteddfod

2003 Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw, “The Spirit Of Llyn” - Selected artists.

2003 Attic Gallery, Swansea – two man show with Chris Griffin

2003 Attic Gallery, Swansea. –Summer Exhibition - Selected artists

2003 Albany Gallery, Cardiff –Summer Exhibition - Selected artists

2003 St David`s Hall Cardiff – Welsh Artist Of The Year -Selected artists

2003 Attic Gallery Swansea- Christmas Show - Selected artists

2003 Albany Gallery Cardiff – Christmas Exhibition - Selected Artists

2004 Albany Gallery Cardiff- three man show with Maggie Driscoll Williams and Mary Jolley.

2004 Oriel y Llys, Lampeter “Y Cwilt Cymreig” - Selected artists including Megan Jones and Aneurin Jones

2004 Albany Gallery Cardiff – Summer Exhibition - Selected artists

2004 Attic Gallery Swansea – Summer Show - Selected artists

2004 St David`s Hall Cardiff – Welsh Artist Of The Year - Selected artists

2004 Oriel y Llys Lampeter- Christmas Exhibition - Selected artists

2004 Albany Gallery Cardiff – Christmas Exhibition - Selected artists

2004 Attic Gallery Swansea –Christmas Show - Selected artists

2004 St David`s Hall Cardiff- Christmas Show - Selected artists

2005 The Spitz GalleryLondon – Selected artists

2005 Albany Gallery Cardiff Summer Show

2005 Attic Gallery Swansea Summer Show

2005 St David`s Hall Cardiff Welsh Artist of The Year – Selected artists

2005 Albany Gallery Cardiff40 th Anniversary Exhibition – Selected artists

2005 Attic Gallery Swansea - Christmas Exhibition – Selected artists

2005 Oriel Pen y Fan Brecon- Christmas Exhibition – Selected artists

2005 St. David`s Hall Cardiff – Christmas show – Selected artists

2006 Oriel Pen y Fan Brecon – “Keeping up with the Jones`s” with Aneurin Jones, Megan Jones and Tom Jones

2006 Albany Gallery Cardiff One Man Show

2006 Fountain Gallery Llandeilo Easter Exhibition – Selected artists

2006 Albany Gallery Cardiff“Floribunda” Exhibition Selected artists including Diana Armfield

2006 Albany Gallery at The Affordable Art Fair, Bristol. – Selected artists including Sir Kyffin Williams, William Selwyn , Donald McIntyre and David Tress.

Television

Bwrw Mlaen Mike has also contributed to television art reviews regarding

Heno Josef Herman, Will Roberts and David Hockney

Pnawn Da THE JOSEF HERMAN FOUNDATION

Sioe Gelf Mike is a director of the Foundation

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