Muse

Hashimoto Contemporary is pleased to present Muse, a solo exhibition by St. Petersburg-based artist Erik Jones. The exhibition is Jones’ fifth solo presentation at Hashimoto Contemporary, exploring the space between hyperrealism and abstraction, merging the surreal with the familiar. For his latest body of work, Jones dives into feelings of tension and anxiety, visible through exaggerated poses and dramatic backgrounds. Chaotic environments depicting erupting volcanos, tidal waves and flames are prevalent, yet through it all the figures carry a sense of calm as they move through their surroundings. Expressive brush strokes are found throughout Jones’ semi-abstracted nudes, creating textured surfaces. Colorful swells form elongated and exaggerated limbs, full of movement and life. As a counterbalance to the surrealistic paintings, Jones also presents a series of small minimal works, titled after well known candies such as Skittles and Twix. Serving as academic explorations of the figure, they merge elements of design with beauty and realistic figurative representation. When enjoyed as a grouping, these works feel like small treats, something to be enjoyed and devoured. Erik Jones was born in 1982 in St. Petersburg, FL and currently lives and works there. In 2007 he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ringling College of Art and Design. He is best known for works featuring semi-abstracted subjects where the fantastical and familiar merge. Working with a colorful palette, Jones’ figures exist in a space between realism and abstraction. The artist vividly paints flesh while posing his figures in exaggerated poses. Jones works in a variety of mediums including watercolour, coloured pencil and oil.