Prolific Bristol music fan Big Jeff announces first solo exhibition
'Welcome To My World' is on display at The Island until Sunday 21 November
Bristol music fan Big Jeff is inviting the city to have a peak into his world.
He has launched his first solo exhibition at The Island, Nelson St, unveiling 20 new paintings alongside the first 14 from phase one of his collection.
The works included in 'Weclome To My World' were created to surprise and challenge the viewer - aiming to instigate conversations about mental health and inspire people in similar situations to make art themselves.
Big Jeff Johns explains: "Welcome To My World, the full edition. I’m excited to exhibit these paintings together for the first time and introduce people to a side of me they don’t know.
"This exhibition brings my world to life, shining light on things I find difficult. This includes love and joy and everything else
"I use drawing and painting as a form of self-reflection. A lot of my work echoes my struggles around feeling like I don’t fit into this world. Art for me has been about expressing emotions I can’t explain another way.
"These paintings highlight my issues with hidden anxiety and mental health and the barrier these create.
"Art for me is about creating space for myself and using my creativity to find my voice. At times this can be intimidating."
Big Jeff Johns
Two years in the making, the collection features 34 artworks to challenge perceptions of anxiety.
Many of the paintings represent moments captured from or inspired by many of Bristol's music venues, where Jeff can often be found, right in front of the stage.
Big Jeff has also invited charities working in Bristol to curate events and experiences alongside the exhibition.
OTR will invite young people to experience the exhibition with an exclusive event. Big Issue sellers will have pitches at the exhibition throughout the week. Talk Club and Running Punks will both host events at the exhibition while Gig Buddies will invite their members and volunteers for an exclusive showing and meet and greet with Jeff.
Exhibition curator Lee Dodds explains: "The response to Jeff’s first release of this collection was phenomenal. Musicians, presenters and Bristolians alike rallied around to support Jeff on his first venture as an artist and many of the prints are nearly sold out.
"His paintings are uplifting and will definitely be popular with music fans and art collectors in Bristol and beyond.
"This exhibition will enable us to show his full collection in person, while also curating a series of events in the space, obviously including music from some of Jeff’s favourite local acts.
"We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at The Island for a week of celebrating art, music and supporting some of the city’s most incredible charities in their work."
Lee Dodds - Exhibition Curator
The exhibition is on show until Sunday 21 November.