Jon Williams

Jon creates figurative artefacts that reflect upon our society today by exploring the themes of subculture, youth and personal identity. His work provides an insight into an otherwise self-contained scene and has proved popular with a wide age-group. Jon's figurative ceramics are hand-built using paper, clay and slipcast metal objects. The work after bisque firing is painted using velvet glazes and oxides before a final firing using either 1200 temperatures or raku techniques.

During his career Jon has maintained a healthy working relationship with regional galleries and art groups through exhibiting and facilitating freelance workshops. This has included working with a full spectrum of mixed age/ability and special needs including mental health clients and young people at risk of offending. Jon has worked with Charnwood Arts as the YISP Plus Arts Coordinator and assisted in the running of the Arts Award scheme. He currently lectures in ceramics at Leicester College, as well as overseeing the department's technician duties.

Jon developed his arts practice by working closely with groups such as underground bands, labels and musicians. This was largely achieved by self-organising the all ages arts/music festival Beefest. This all day event promoted new upcoming national talent alongside established headliners and encouraged positive youth arts involvement. Jon also self-publishes his autobiographical art comic "Tales of The Sidewalk" and provided regular contributions to London-based Music/Art/Politics magazine "Last Hours".