Art gives everyone a little food for thought

Apr 20 2007 by Philip Key, Liverpool Daily Post

And first in the firing line came Liverpool artist Jason Jones, 35, an artist with a rapidly expanding international reputation but also with an ability to talk – he runs the Cornerstone Gallery, at Liverpool’s Hope University, where he also does talks about his work.

Jones was a natural choice, having had an unusual entry into the art world.

“Well, I was runner-up in a National Art Prize at the age of 11,” he says. “I did my O and A levels, but not with very good grades. I tried some re-sits and was asked to leave the course.

“I wanted money in my pocket so I went into the insurance business as what I term a desk jockey. I got very bored.”

He decided to go to university and study psychology and fine art, and emerged with a double honours degree. He has been an artist ever since.

He admits that, like many artists, he prefers to let his art do the talking and well he might – he has exhibited across the country and in overseas galleries in places like Sweden and Spain.

In the end, he enjoyed the Eat Art experience. “When you have to talk about your own work, it does make you think more about it,” he says.

In his case, there were explanations as to how he moved from abstract into more figurative work recently. He told the diners of his background and brought examples of his work with him as well as slides to project. “It was all highly enjoyable,” he concludes.

It also helped bring him to a wider audience. “Liverpool has a very lively art scene but there is not enough investment, too few buyers,” he says. “If you want to make money, you have to look elsewhere.”

It is just that concern that Lucy Byrne is tackling, not least with her series of Eat Art events.

“They take place in a private dining room at the hotel and start with a Champagne reception,” she explains. “Then I introduce the artist and he or she gives 15-minute talks between the first and main courses and between the main course and pudding. It all ends with a question and answer session.”