Jonathan Yeo, Bush, 2007, Limited edition screenprint, Image size: 863 x 561 mm / Paper size: 1015 x 726 mm, Courtesy the artist and Lazarides Gallery, © Jonathan Yeo, 2008.

Jonathan Yeo, Hydra, 2008, Collage.

Jonathan Yeo, Hugh Hefner, 2008, Mixed media collage, 42 x 52 cm, Courtesy Jonathan Yeo and Lazarides Gallery, © Jonathan Yeo, 2008.

Lazarides Gallery
8 Greek Street
London
+44 (0)20 3214 0055
Jonathan Yeo, Blue Period
June 6-July 11, 2008

Jonathan Yeo, painter of glitterati and politicians of our time, presents a series of new works, inspired by his George W. Bush porn collage.

Yeo’s portrait painting has earned commissions from a variety of high-profile personalities — David Williams, Erin O’ Connor, Dennis Hopper, Bush. His depiction of Tony Blair in 2008 with a blood red remembrance poppy became an iconic image of the British Prime Minister around the world. When Yeo’s talks with George Bush’s team slowly ground to a halt, he decided to use his art to offend a man he found offensive. The Bush porn portrait became famous internationally, representing political satire and Yeo’s obsession with highly-crafted pictures.

Using the same meticulous techniques, Yeo has created a unique series of collages that, on first, look painterly, but on closer inspection, are revealed. Demure, neo-classical nudes and portraits and head Playboy honcho Hugh Hefner seem multi-dimensional and picturesque. Through gradual layering of the thinnest pages from pornographic publications, Yeo carefully builds up variations in skin tone, nuance of colour and light and shade. The result is a series of works that signifies a new direction for the artist.

"I’ve always been intrigued by collage and how I would one day incorporate it into my style of painting. Inspired by my feelings towards the warped moralities behind George Bush’s policies, I decided that it was time to turn my frustration into action. I set about creating a new approach that was deceptive, yet traditional, and multi-layered in every sense."

Breaking the taboo of porn by using it as a fine art material in his work, Yeo has created his most powerfully provocative series of work to date.

Yeo was born in 1970 and is self-taught. Solo shows include Jonathan Yeo’s Sketchbook at Eleven Fine Art, London and Election Art at Portcullis House, London. He has shown in group shows at Compton Verney, Bloomberg Space and National Portrait Gallery, which recently bought Yeo’s painting of Rupert Murdoch. He has work in the private collections of the House of Commons, Damien Hirst and Dennis Hopper. Yeo’s portrait subjects include Minnie Driver, Grayson Perry, Jamie Theakston, Ross Kemp, and Marco Pierre White. A fully illustrated, hard-backed catalogue with a text by Francesca Gavin is also available.

Jonathan Yeo, Columba, 2008, Collage.

Jonathan Yeo, Cassiopeia, 2007, Limited edition screenprint, Image size: 863 x 561 mm / Paper size: 1015 x 726 mm, Courtesy the artist and Lazarides Gallery, © Jonathan Yeo, 2008.