An exhibition surveying Jonah’s work, ‘Jonah Jones: Y Gair/The Word’, is on show in Gallery 13 at the National Museum of Wales until 7 April 2013. The show provides an introduction to Jonah’s output and explores his often-made assertion that the Word in all its forms was central to his life and art. The exhibition, curated by Oliver Fairclough, Keeper of Art at the NMW, opened on 6 December 2012. David Townsend Jones, the artist’s eldest son, gave the keynote address about Jonah on behalf of Scene & Word and introduced the show (click here for the text).
The exhibition displays works lent by Jonah’s family, friends and collectors, as well as pieces in public collections from around Wales. Three superb examples of the artist’s earlier carvings – Jacob and the Angel, Abraham II and The Blind – are on show. Paintings include a wide range of lettering, as well as a selection of designs for the Welsh-American Portfolio (1984). A slide show of Jonah’s commissions for Catholic churches and chapels at Ratcliffe College in Leicestershire, Newport and Morfa Nefyn is on display. Examples of his journals, mixing text and sketches, can also be seen.
As part of the event, two lunchtime talks were delivered in Gallery 13. Jonah’s younger son and biographer, Peter Jones, offered an introduction to the exhibition on 11 January, and Professor Tony Curtis talked about Jonah Jones and the image of writing on 25 January. Both talks were well received by appreciative audiences. The exhibition was listed by The Times in its events notices on 23 February.