Mark Brazier-Jones is a unique force in the world of design and sculpture. His work is increasingly recognized as forging a new and more artistically compelling way forward. As a veritable « designer - laureate of metal », his work possesses a poetic sensibility and an engaging quirkiness that suffused with symbolic meaning rarely found in contemporary design. By playfully subverting our nations of art, craft and design his surprisingly eclectic work offers an alternative definition of modern design - one that is about quality of craftsmanship, nobility of materials and an individuality of expression intended to last generations.
Since the commencement of his career in 1983, Mark Brazier-Jones has honed a collection and philosophy unique in the world of design. His work trespasses into the world of the classical, surreal, theatrical and futuristic. Commentators on contemporary design have tried to categorize his style as neo classical or space age baroque, even “post nuclear antiques”. Despite of the flamboyant appearance of his designs Mark Brazier-Jones applied a strict code of functionality to his work. As Brazier-Jones states, it still applies that form follows function. ”Yes, form does follow function, but part of furniture’s function is decorative, an attribute many modern designers seem to overlook”. Mark Brazier-Jones believes in practical art where the user engages directly with the work and it becomes part of their life.
The design-making process starts with an idea and as a skilled draughtsman Brazier-Jones then expresses this concept onto a piece of paper-sometimes just as little detailed drawings and at other times as larger fantasy-style sketches. Frequently when working for a specific client he will go on-site to see the exact space a bespoke design in intended for. In order to achieve the most suitable and desirable design, Mark Brazier-Jones meditates upon the needs of the client and the space. He admits,” the desire to please is an important motivation in the design process”. He will then work continuously on the commission until completion. For production pieces that Brazier-Jones creates speculatively, sketches and drawings are translated into prototype models using a variety of media – steel, plaster, fiberglass, etc. From these models, castings are made. If the first is not quite right, the design is further honed and then sent back to the foundry again, and again, until it is absolutely perfect. This trial and error process means that a prototype chair can take between six to twelve months to develop, before it is signed off to Brazier-Jones’ satisfaction as ready to be put into the collection. Final castings from the foundry are hand polished and finished, and if appropriate, carefully upholstered to create the final product.
Mark Brazier-Jones has stuck to his hands-on approach for over twenty-five years and as result has become a virtuoso metalworker instinctively understanding how to transform raw materials into unique objects of desire. Little heed is paid to current designers and trends his field of influence is very self-contained. “It’s a broad scan of nature and cultures across the ages. I like objects with lasting qualities. An engine that still does its’ job after 100 years, excite me, something that is so well made you never want to replace it, now that is worthy of respect”. In keeping with this ethos, his furniture is crafted from noble materials that will not deteriorate – they will look as in 500 years as they do today. “I am making objects of desire from enduring materials, I have no need to be declared fashionable, I am working to a different timescale”.
The book, MARK BRAZIER-JONES is an important catalogue of his work. 176 pages and 200 illustrations illuminate the prolific and diverse body of work dating back to 1983 when he co-founded the Creative Salvage movement with Tom Dixon and Nick Jones.
The work of Mark Brazier Jones was featured in the exhibition at The Victoria & Albert Museum from the 31 march to the 12 august 2012 in London, ‘British Design 1948-2012’, and in the museums accompanying book ‘British Design from 1948: Innovation in the Modern Age’.
1984
Creative Salvage Exposition collective I The Cuts Gallery, Kensington, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
1985
Creative Salvage Exposition collective II, The Cuts Gallery, Kensington, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
1986
Creative Salvage Exposition collective III, The Cuts Gallery, Kensington, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
1987
Exposition personnelle, Rococo Chocolatiers. Kings Road, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
1987
Exposition personnelle, The Study, Endell Street, Covent Garden, Londres, Grande-Bretagne 1988 Decorative Arts Today, Bonhams, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
1988
Exposition personnelle, La Galleria Van Melle, Paris, France
Exposition personnelle, Harrods Front Windows during Londres, Grande-Bretagne Fashion Week
Exposition personnelle, Themes & Variations, Notting Hill, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
1989
Exposition personnelle, Joseph - Sloane Street Londres, Grande-Bretagne
Exposition personnel
1984
Creative Salvage Group Show I /The Cuts Gallery, Kensington, London W8
1985
Creative Salvage Group Show II, The Cuts Gallery, Kensington, London W8
1986
Creative Salvage Group Show III, The Cuts Gallery, Kensington, London W8
1987
Solo Exhibition, Rococo Chocolatiers. Kings Road, London SW3
Solo Exhibition, The Study, Endell Street, Covent Garden, London WC2
1988
Decorative Arts Today, Bonhams, London SW3
Solo Exhibition, La Galleria Van Melle, Paris, France
Solo Exhibition, Harrods Front Windows during London Fashion Week
Solo Exhibition, Themes & Variations, Notting Hill, London W11
1989
Solo Exhibition, Joseph - Sloane Street London SW3
Solo Exhibition, Wunderhaus, Munich, Germany
Solo Exhibition, Galerie Theormeme, Brussels, Belgium
1990
Solo Exhibition, Avant Scene, Paris, France
Group Show, International Furniture Fair, New York City, USA
Group Show, Nouveau Design a Londres, Pompidou Centre, Paris
Solo Exhibition, Aida, Hamburg, Germany
Solo Exhibition, Joseph, Sloane Street, London SW3
1991
City Steel, Group Show, Crafts Council, Haymarket, London
Group Show, Crucial Art Gallery, Covent Garden, London WC2
Sit 91, Business Design Centre, Islington, London N1
1992
Decorative Arts Today, Bonhams, London, SW3
Solo Exhibition, Joseph, Brompton Cross, London SW3
Solo Exhibition, Avant Scene, Paris, France
Solo Exhibition, i.d. Dusseldorf, Germany
1993
Decorative Arts Today, Bonhams, London SW3
Couture Collection, Contrasts Gallery, Hong Kong
Group Show, Modern Age, New York City, USA
Group Show, Modern Living, Los Angeles, USA
1994
Solo Exhibition, i.d. Dusseldorf, Germany
St Petersburg 1894, Contrasts Gallery, Hong Kong
1995
Group Show, International Furniture Fair, Cologne, Germany
Ambiente Exhibition, Frankfurt, Germany
Two man Show with Tom Dixon, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Solo Exhibition, The Library, Brompton Cross, London SW3
100% Design, Olympia, London W14
International Autumn Fair, Frankfurt, Germany
1996
International Furniture Fair, Cologne, Germany
Solo Exhibition, Passagen, Cologne, Germany
Ambiente Exhibition, Frankfurt, Germany
International Autumn Fair, Frankfurt, Germany
1997
Solo Exhibition, Joseph, Brompton Cross, London SW3
1999
Group Show, Stephanie Hoppen Gallery, Walton Street, London SW3
2000
Exhibiton 100% Design
2001
Furniture & Lighting Exhibition, Terzo Milenio Gallery, Milan, Italy
Show with Fergus Greer Photographs of Leigh Bowery, Stephanie Hoppen Gallery, Walton Street, London SW3
2002
Jewellery & Clocks Exhibition, Stephanie Hoppen Gallery, Walton Street, London SW3
2003
Solo Exhibition, Contemporanea Gallery, Rome, Italy
2004
Awakening: La France Mandarine, Contrasts Gallery, Shanghai
2007
The Flashman Collection & Performance by Dita von Teese using the Princess Chair, Erotica, Olympia, London
2008
Beluga Collection Launches, Lamberty Gallery, Pimlico Road, London
2009
Solo Artist Launch, The Address, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Bling Meets Baroque, National Trust Property, The Vyne, Sherborne St John
Pavillion of Art & Design, with The Lamberty Gallery Berkeley Square, London W1
2011
Group Exhibition, Galerie Hip, Paris
Pavillion of Art & Design, with The Lamberty Gallery, Paris
Pavillion of Art & Design, with The Lamberty Gallery, Berkeley Square, London W1
Pavillion of Art & Design, with The Lamberty Gallery, The Armory, New York
Atol Collection Launches, Lamberty Gallery, Pimlico Road, London
2012
Jeffery-West Collaboration, Selfridges, London W1
British Design from 1948: Innovation in the Modern Age, The Victoria & Albert Museum, London
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, France
Museum of Modern Art, Boston, USA
American Craft Museum, New York City, USA
Brooklyn Museum, New York City, USA
le, Wunderhaus, Munich, Allemagne
Exposition personnelle, Galerie Theormeme, Bruxelles, Belgique
1990
Exposition personnelle, Avant Scene, Paris, France
Exposition collective, International Furniture Fair, New York City, Etats-Unis
Exposition collective, Nouveau Design à Londres, Grande-Bretagne, Pompidou Centre, Paris
Exposition personnelle, Aida, Hamburg, Allemagne
Exposition personnelle, Joseph, Sloane Street, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
1991
City Steel, Exposition collective, Crafts Council, Haymarket, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
Exposition collective, Crucial Art Gallery, Covent Garden, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
Sit 91, Business Design Centre, Islington, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
1992
Decorative Arts Today, Bonhams, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
Exposition personnelle, Joseph, Brompton Cross, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
Exposition personnelle, Avant Scene, Paris, France
Exposition personnelle, i.d. Dusseldorf, Allemagne
1993
Decorative Arts Today, Bonhams, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
Couture Collection, Contrasts Gallery, Hong Kong
Exposition collective, Modern Age, New York City, Etats-Unis
Exposition collective, Modern Living, Los Angeles, USA
1994
Exposition personnelle, i.d. Dusseldorf, Allemagne
St Petersburg 1894, Contrasts Gallery, Hong Kong
1995
Exposition collective, International Furniture Fair, Cologne, Allemagne
Ambiente Exhibition, Frankfurt, Allemagne
Two man, Show with Tom Dixon, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Exposition personnelle, The Library, Brompton Cross, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
100% Design, Olympia, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
International Autumn Fair, Frankfurt, Allemagne
1996
International Furniture Fair, Cologne, Allemagne
Exposition personnelle, Passagen, Cologne, Allemagne
Ambiente Exhibition, Frankfurt, Allemagne
International Autumn Fair, Frankfurt, Allemagne
1997
Exposition personnelle, Joseph, Brompton Cross, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
1999
Exposition collective, Stephanie Hoppen Gallery, Walton Street, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
2000
Exhibiton 100% Design
2001
Furniture & Lighting Exhibition, Terzo Milenio Gallery, Milan, Italie
Show with Fergus Greer Photographs of Leigh Bowery, Stephanie Hoppen Gallery, Walton Street, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
2002
Jewellery & Clocks Exhibition, Stephanie Hoppen Gallery, Walton Street, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
2003
Exposition personnelle, Contemporanea Gallery, Rome, Italie
2004
Awakening: La France Mandarine, Contrasts Gallery, Shanghai
2007
The Flashman Collection & Performance by Dita von Teese using the Princess Chair, Erotica, Olympia, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
2008
Beluga Collection Launches, Lamberty Gallery, Pimlico Road, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
2009
Solo Artist Launch, The Address, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2010
Bling Meets Baroque, National Trust Property, The Vyne, Sherborne St John
Pavillion of Art & Design, avec The Lamberty Gallery Berkeley Square, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
2011
Group Exhibition, Galerie Hip, Paris, France
Pavillion of Art & Design, avec The Lamberty Gallery, Paris, France
Pavillion of Art & Design, avec The Lamberty Gallery, Berkeley Square, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
Pavillion of Art & Design, avec The Lamberty Gallery, The Armory, New York, Etats-Unis
Atol Collection Launches, Lamberty Gallery, Pimlico Road, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
2012
Jeffery-West Collaboration, Selfridges, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
British Design from 1948: Innovation in the Modern Age, The Victoria & Albert Museum, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
COLLECTIONS PUBLIQUES
Victoria and Albert Museum, Londres, Grande-Bretagne
Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris
Museum of Modern Art, Boston, Etats-Unis
American Craft Museum, New York City, Etats-Unis
Brooklyn Museum, New York City, Etats-Unis