Comedian Johnny Vegas presents first solo exhibition at local Hampton Gallery
By Emily Dalton 14th Dec 2023
The renowned actor, writer, director, comedian and artist, Jonny Vegas is showcasing his first solo exhibition at JOC Ceramics Gallery, as part of a Channel 4 project.
Known for his thick Lancashire accent, the comedian is showcasing a collection of unique sculptures and 2D artworks in Jackson O'Connor Architects on Hampton High Street. The exhibition is part of a Channel 4 project telling the story of how johnny got back into his art.
Founder and curator of the gallery, Jane O'Connor said: "He can just represent thoughtfulness and pensiveness with three blobs of clay. He's very very talented."
Despite being at different schools, Jane shared the same art teacher with Johnny. Now a professional architect, Jane brought her passion of ceramists together and opened Hampton's first ceramics gallery.
Visitors can see the collection on 17 December between 1-5pm, or make an appointment for viewing during JOC Architect's office hours.
Although more known for his comedy and writing, Johnny also has a degree in ceramics. During lockdown 2021 Johnny was asked to do a piece for Grayson Perry Channel 4 programme 'Grayson's Art Club'.
Having never used a kiln before, Johnny got in touch with his old art teacher for advice, who consequently out him in touch with Jane. Over the phone, Jane helped him produce ceramics with the kiln.
He produced a stylized human figure looking like the world is on his shoulders. Based on a young boy Johnny used to see every day while he was on the school run with his kid, the figure a complexity of dispassion and quiet ambition.
Speaking about the 'Norman' artwork, Jane said: "It's quite sensitive, quite stripped down. It's my favourite piece its absolutely lovely."
Johnny sent Jane photos of his completed work and other projects he was developing. Really impressed with his work, she offered him the gallery space to put on an exhibition.
Not taking commission for the exhibition, the gallery has been welcoming new visitors and different footfall through its doors.
Visitors will be able to purchase Johnny 'unique ceramic sculptures and 2D artwork. Using part of the funding from the exhibition, he aims to construct a 'love letter to St Helens' for a large-scale permanent public art in his Merseyside hometown.
As life can often be more peculiar than fiction, the site selected for the public art installation is part of the college in St Helen's town centre where Jane's mum established her career in college administration.
The exhibition details ceramics painted with clay, oils and acrylics, as well as 3D printing and 2D artworks. The figures created by Johnny are very grounded, downward looking and held down. In contrast, the female forms are very uplifting and evolving into angels.
He has also used mixed media with bricks from the River Mersey which have been eroded over the past 80.
"They almost have souls within them," Jane explains. "He calls them his souls. There is a lot of spirituality in his work which goes back to days in his cemenry."
Normally Jane sets up and curates the exhibitions herself and the artist does not get involved.
"Johnny was like 'Right, I'm coming down, we're going to do it together, it's going to be filmed'," Jane chuckles in fondness.
Despite Jane giving him the details of the size and the dimensions of the space, she said: "I didn't know what was coming."
Some pieces arrived at the gallery and they still needed painting, so Johnny stayed up until 11:30pm in Jane's garage doing the final touches.
"It was all very last minute, that seems to be how he works," Jane explains. "He got an ADHD diagnosis recently, so it makes sense of his mode of working."
"But it's all part of Johnny."
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