This is an Q and A I did for X and Y magazine:
http://www.xandymagazine.com.au/x/articles/24/4/424/2010-04-15/ART:-Nicholas-Jones-XWhy/
Nicholas Jones 'X&Why'
By Annie Mullen
How would you describe your art for those yet to see it?
My artwork is intimate sculptural work made entirely from second-hand books. I address each book individually and attempt to create unique sculptural objects which highlight the poetic nature of the book as form. The viewer is confronted with a book, which has been cut, torn, folded or had some sort of operation performed on it. There is the quandary which emerges; is it a book or a sculpture?
Did you choose to be an artist or do you think that art chose you?
I would say that I definitely chose to become an artist. As a first year student of Art History at La Trobe University, I had my road to Damascus moment in the middle of a very dry lecture on Attic vases. I decided that I needed to really pursue my own creativity, rather than to study the exploits of others.
You are always working with books- what is your all-time favourite?
It is difficult to pinpoint one book which is my favourite I have worked with, but there are particular signifiers which I look for in a book. The quality of the paper, binding, typography, colour and many others things. I made a work for my Masters which was the combining of two copies of "The Story of San Michel", by Axel Munthe. Both had the same cover, but were in two different languages; English and German. I folded these books together and in a way, created a cross cultural conversation which was back to front and upside down. All the information was the same, but wasn't, very much at once. Art and Philosophy inspired by Derrida's reading of Rousseau's famous statement, "Il n'y a pas de hors-texte": There is nothing outside the text.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by life and the absurd nature of everything. Walking around the city like something of a modern day Flaneur brings a deal of inspiration. Walking through the Fitzroy gardens and looking at the majesty of tall trees and the miniature aspect of their fallen leaves and seed pods. Then wandering down Flinders Lane or Collins St and wondering at the beauty of architecture and how scurrying humanity fits into this landscape. Things need to be taken slowly.
Who inspires you?
I am inspired by my friends, who are generally very creative and driven people. Sculptors, jewellers, fashion designers, musicians. Music is greatly influential for me. People like Arvo Part, Erik Satie and other composers seem to be able to transpose thoughts into music, which is a skill I would love to have.
What do you do when you're not creating art?
I love to spend time reading and looking through junk in op-shops and bookstores. Watching movies and quality TV shows. Seeing bands, visiting galleries: the usual stuff.
Describe yourself in 3 words:
Inquiring, Francophile, Amused.
Which are your favourite galleries in Australia?
I love the NGV, AGNSW, NGA, ACCA, Heide, Craft Victoria, MARS, Ian Potter Gallery, Block Projects, TCB, Uplands and many others.
Describe the Melbourne Art scene in 3 words:
Inclusive, exclusive, confusing.
If you could give one piece of advice to emerging artists what would it be?
Keep going. Meet as many people as you can, but understand the multi-tiered nature of the art world and that hard work pays off. There can only be a few people who succeed quickly, for the rest of us it is all about persistence. Never give up.
Jones has work in the show In the Kitchen Sink that opened last week at MARS. See www.marsgallery.com.au
photo credit: Michael Clayton-Jones
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