Jesture
Handpainted ceramic columns formed of planter pots stacked on a steel base. Made in collaboration with 1882Ltd.
In September this year, I was privileged to display my work as part of the London Design Festival 2022. The exhibit was held at the Marylebone Townhouse HQ of Jo Malone London and featured new textile design work, ceramics made in collaboration with 1882ltd, photographs from my Moonboy series and also introduced a 2nd Design Editions candle collection with the fragrance brand.
The collective title of the work is Jesture. Part jester, part gesture, it's themed around ideas of circus, the outsider and the court jester. This theme emerged as I was working on the original painted artwork... the colors and the simple patterns of spots, stripes and checks reminded me of the costumes of the clown and the jester. It's playful and lending itself to a little exaggeration. The Moonboy series reflect other circus themes of the outsider and escapism.
Bringing all the elements together and building an atmosphere is my favorite part of the work process. The exhibition layout was 2 magnificent interconnecting Georgian rooms. One was treated like a gallery and the other a salon. I worked with long term collaborators Charlotte Lawton and Brian Reyes to shape and style the interior mood. Charlotte created the giant light shades and larger than life leaf shadows. Brian fine tuned the decor and did some great portraits in situ.
The Gallery.
I like to dress in character and spent time making outfits to compliment the work. Portrait by Brian Reyes.
A series of Penny vases. Hand thrown and hand painted. Available at 1882Ltd..
Green Spotted Penny vase. Available at 1882Ltd.
New jacquard and linen textiles designs in an array of spots and checks are displayed as folding screens and light shades. See more patterns on the MTS website. Available to order info@martynthompsonstudio.com
Looking through... on the wall a large print from the Moonboy series.
"Clouds"..... from the Moonboy series circa 2010. Available to order at info@martynthompsonstudio.com
The Salon.
End of day contemplation.
Candle and box from the Design Editions collection with Jo Malone London. Available early 2023.
A collection of new ceramic work. Available at 1882Ltd
Spotted Honeypot vase. Available at 1882Ltd.
Salon nook.