JONATHON DOWNING
BIO
Jonathon Downing (b. 1997, Town and Country) is an oil painter whose portraits craft conversations about public image and internal truth through the lens of the professional Basketball fan. He created his unique aesthetic while studying at the University of Michigan; and since graduating in 2020, has continued to refine the process of digital photo montage and realistic painting that he is becoming known for. While Downing was raised and currently resides in the Metro Detroit area, the subjects he paints reside in an alternate reality where human beings are monstrous amalgamations of portraiture. Surprisingly organic and honest, these portraits simultaneously depict the Basketball fan and the superstars they idolize, promoting deeper observation in order to fully form a hypothesis on each character’s backstory and present emotions. Downing has shown these characters throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, and is included in both national and international collections.
CV
b. 1997, Town and Country, MO
Lives and works in Westland, MI
EDUCATION
2020 B.F.A. University of Michigan Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design, Ann Arbor, MI
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024
Appearances, aspirations and illusions - VLAB / Madrid, Spain.
2023
Laced Up - Glass Rice Gallery / San Francisco, CA
Checks over Stripes - Bridge Mogura Gallery / Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
Inseparable - IRL Gallery / New York, NY
2022
Countryside Jumpshot - NYCH Gallery / Chicago, IL
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023
Fightclub - BETTERGOSOUTH Gallery / Berlin, Germany
Hajimemashite! - Bridge Mogura Gallery / Shibuya City, Tokyo, Japan
2022
Hella Good! - Glass Rice Gallery / San Francisco, CA
All is Not What it Seems - Lorin Gallery / Los Angeles, CA
That’s Showbiz, Baby! - Tchotchke Gallery / Virtual Exhibition
2021
Sheer Madness - Northville Art House / Northville, MI
2018
Dirty Show - Russell Industrial Center/ Detroit, MI
2017
De-consciousness - University of Michigan Stamps Gallery / Ann Arbor, MI
That Damned Show - Russell Industrial Center / Detroit, MI
2016
As I See It - University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, MI
2014
6 x 6 - Rochester Contemporary Art Center / Rochester, NY
2014
Best of the Best - Lawrence Street Gallery / Ferndale, MI
2013
Think Small - Lawrence Street Gallery / Ferndale, MI