Joe Fenton (artist)
| Joe Fenton | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Jonathan Simon Bramley-Fenton 17 December 1971 Hampstead, London, England |
| Education | Wimbledon College of Art |
| Known for | Drawing, illustrating, sculpting |
| Spouse(s) | Iji Asfaw-Fenton |
Jonathan "Joe" Simon Bramley-Fenton (born 17 December 1971 in Hampstead, London) is an English artist, designer, sculptor and illustrator, who works in monochrome using graphite, ink and acrylics on paper. He has worked on a number of feature films as a concept designer and sculptor, including The Brothers Grimm directed by Terry Gilliam and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy directed by Garth Jennings.[1]
Fenton became internationally known through his first large-scale drawing rendered in graphite, acrylics, gouache, and ink, called Solitude. Completed in 2011, the approximately 8 feet wide and 5.5 feet high Solitude took more than ten months to produce.[2]
Career
Joe has illustrated two children's picture books while living in New York City: What's Under the Bed? (published in 2008)[3] and Boo! (published in 2010) by Simon & Schuster.[4]
In 2014, he was commissioned to create a one-of-a-kind guitar for PRS Guitars signature artist (and lead guitarist of rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge) Mark Tremonti.[5]
Fenton also produces and directs short films showing his art process, such as The Lullaby (2011)[6] and Flight (2014).
Background
Fenton's art work is influenced by many of the early surrealists. Embracing the grotesque by his employment of Hieronymus Bosch-like figures that are gangly, writhing and cramped, Fenton also uses motifs that suggest Eastern philosophy and Middle Eastern architecture whilst maintaining a feel for European Baroque and Rococo with complex frame ornamentation and plant-like details. A common theme in all his works which recurs again and again is that of death and the fear of death. The fanciful and even freakish nature of his images seem to spring from the need to distance himself from the fear while at the same time acknowledging it.[2]
Fenton has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Sculpture from the Wimbledon College of Art.[7]
Personal
Fenton grew up in Bath, London, and Southern Spain and currently resides in London, England with his wife Iji Asfaw-Fenton.
He is the son of John Bramley-Fenton and Susan Mardon, the half-brother of drummer Julian Fenton, and the uncle of actress Nell Tiger Free.
References
- ↑ Hollywood.com, LLC. "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005) | Movies | Hollywood.com". hollywood.com. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
- 1 2 "Joe Fenton's amazing 5-metre fine artwork that took 10 months to produce | Mail Online". dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
- ↑ "What's Under the Bed?: Joe Fenton: 9781416949435: Amazon.com: Books". amazon.com. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
- ↑ "Boo!: Joe Fenton: 9781416979364: Amazon.com: Books". amazon.com. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
- ↑ "Mark Tremonti Shows Off Custom PRS Joe Fenton Guitar – Video | Guitar World". guitarworld.com. Retrieved 2014-06-14.
- ↑ "The Lullaby; YouTube". YouTube.com. Retrieved 2011-09-10.
- ↑ "Interview with the Artist: Joe Fenton | Flush the Fashion". flushthefashion.com. Retrieved 2014-06-14.