Jon Jones
“It’s a connection between two people; it’s more than family and brotherly love. The respect between two gangsters – like the Kray twins – means that no matter what happens between them, there is an unbreakable bond.”
In the shadows of Jon Jones’ haunting paintings are stories of family, courage and bonds that will never be broken. Capturing the infamous Peaky Blinders gang, who ruled the streets of Birmingham in the late 19th and early 20th century, Jon drew upon his own family history and classical painting techniques. His research took him to the aftermath of World War One, when many British men joined gangs upon returning to a country with no jobs left for them. Desensitised to violence, the loyal husbands and fathers found themselves doing whatever was necessary to survive and protect their family. Jon says: “The soldiers were so young, and saw such terrible things. When you read about it in books or watch it on television, you can’t smell those smells, or feel the cold. They could not fear death. My grandfather was in World War Two and fought in the Battle of Dunkirk in 1940. He was my hero.”
Tommy & Alfie First Meeting (above) Hand-Varnished Boxed Canvas | Edition of 295 Image size 56cm x 56cm | Framed Size 73.5cm x 73.5cm £575 Framed
I’ve Heard Bad, Bad, Bad Things About You Birmingham People (left) Hand-Varnished Boxed Canvas | Edition of 295 Image size 40.5cm x 40.5cm | Framed Size 58cm x 58cm £425 Framed
Flanders Blues Hand-Varnished Boxed Canvas | Edition of 295 Image size 56cm x 56cm | Framed Size 73.5cm x 73.5cm £575 Framed
38 FINE ART COLLECTOR SPRING/SUMMER 2021
FINE ART COLLECTOR SPRING/SUMMER 2021 39
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