David Rhys Jones creates sculptural works that interpret types of ancient artistic practices in a contemporary form. After acquiring a set of 18th century etching pieces that largely depicted scenes of Oxford, and in a similar time frame learning about enamelling, David began a new series of work combining the two.
Often referred to as a cousin of ceramics, enamelling uses the heat of a kiln (around 800 degrees C) to form a thin layer of pigmented glass onto metal. Taking small details from the engravings, he used them to create artworks - playing with colour and structural forms to make work that is architectural and contemporary. By using different colours, the works have an echo of stained glass and give new life to the antique engravings. The form of his works are made so they can be hung as wall pieces, or can find a home freestanding.
David Rhys Jones trained at Central Saint Martins and since then has exhibited at The V&A Museum, the Royal Academy of Arts and the Courtauld Institute. In 2010, he was joint winner of the Jerwood Contemporary Makers Prize.