JOHN JACOBS
Abstract Art and Photography
John Jacobs 1940 - 2016 was a life-long artist. He started his career as an art teacher and then moved into art conservation and art restoration. After working with the well known picture liner Peter Newman (restorer by royal appointment), he started his own studio in 1975. Over the years he developed many unique and sophisticated techniques for treating the surface and structure of paintings. In particular a new method of lining paintings that has dramatic improvements on the existing picture lining methods.
Over 30 years John passed his highly specialised art restoration knowledge onto his son Toby Jacobs (BSc Physics at Imperial College, London) who continues to operate John Jacobs Studio together with his wife Sheena Patel (Art and Design at Central St Martins, London).
John continued to create art throughout his life for his own personal pleasure and expression. He produced relatively few artworks as he would spend many years on each one. He believed anything could be art and his work included drawings, paintings, sculpture and photography. More images of his various artworks coming soon.
John Jacobs circa 1985
John Jacobs and son Toby in the studio circa 1995
Below is a pencil drawing done over a period of 25 years. It is designed to be viewed in all 4 directions and each direction is presented here. You will notice how each way up seems to be a totally different picture and you will notice different forms appearing each way.
"To Still the Storm Inside"
"Order and Chaos"
"Phantasy and Reality"
"The Evolution of the Universe"
Acrlyic on chipboard with shapes cut out of the surface layer.
John in a care home showing one of his last works, 2016
Below is the last series of artworks by John, done in a care home while he was suffering from Parkinson's disease, shortly before his passing in 2016. It is interesting that he was able to handle the trembling in his hands when he was focussing on creating these artworks. These are all felt pen on paper and card, size A4. A percentage of sales of these works will go towards a Parkinson's charity.
These photos are the original prints made by John around 2005 - 2010. They are compositions of nature observed during his regular walks around Hampstead Heath and Kenwood in London. John saw artwork wherever he looked and for him the camera was a chance to capture these visual compositions that otherwise would only be in his mind.
"Psychedelic Forest". This series of photographs were digitally adjusted by John to bring out and saturate the colours. He created a vibrancy and glow in the forest which is reminiscent of a magic mushroom experience. Presented here are photographs of original glossy prints so there are some reflections - apologies! Better photographs are coming soon!
