Iona Jones is a Glasgow based artist.
Swan Song, 2024
Swan Song is an installation composed of several kinetic sculptures and films, each serving as a fragmented piece of a larger narrative.
My work has always served as a means to digest, process, and communicate complex emotions and experiences. After the recent loss of my father, I found myself drawn to recreating the traumatic imagery associated with hospitals and death. These harsh realities have seeped into the otherworldly scenes I create, culminating in the central piece of this installation: The Dying Swan. This large-scale performative sculpture features a swan enclosed within a 6-foot metal cage, attached to a drip that releases 5 litres of 'blood' over the course of the performance. As the 'blood' pools onto the velvet-clad base of the cage, it stains the fabric, visualising the swan's decay and encouraging the growth of mould, further emphasising the swans deterioration. This transformation visually captures how experience can irrevocably alter our perception of something, in this case, once perceived as pure.
Fairy tales, at their core, serve as emotional clarifiers, exploring fundamental human experiences such as disgust, desire, fear, change, and mortality. Francesca Gavin addresses the need for darkness in her book Hellbound; ‘Exploring dark imagery or ideas in art arguably helps to create a sense of control in a world where we have none.’
The Dying Swan, 2024
Life-Size swan in a cage. Bleeds five litres of blood through IV drip when performing in the degree show. Approx. 182 cm high. Down feathers, IV drip, wire, paper mache, latex, cardboard, duct tape, glass eyes, varnish, steel, wood, velvet, ribbon, paint, glitter, blood, mould.
Mr Wolf, 2024
Mr Wolf is a wall installed wolf which dribbles into a dog bowl on the floor. Approx. 50 cm long. Foam clay, paper mache, wood, found clothes, paint, latex, fur, wire, varnish, glass eyes, dentures.
Big Cat, 2024
Big Cat is an automaton life-size anthropomorphic cat sculpture which is installed on an office desk with a chair. The sculpture is activated by the viewer and moves by pulling chains. Approx.105x45x100cm. Foam clay, paper mache, wood, found clothes, paint, latex, fur, wire, varnish, nail extensions.
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Wooly Leg, 2024
Wooly Leg is a life-size movable jointed wooly leg sculpture wearing a lace sock and red high-heeled shoe. The sculpture is wall installed and the movement is operated by pulling a chain. Approx. 40cm. Paper mache, sheep’s wool, paint, wire, latex, lace, glue, varnish, butcher’s twine, chain, padlock.
Woof, 2024
Woof is a film which explores the meaning of life. Runtime: 2 minutes 19 seconds. Found footage from Woof tv show, documentation of performance sculpture animatronic wolf.
My Funny Valentine, 2024
My Funny Valentine is a found footage compiled video piece exploring transformation.
The Dying Swan (video), 2024
The Dying Swan is a film piece documenting a performative sculpture. The piece shows the final moments of a swans life as it bleeds to death. Runtime 3 minutes and 7 seconds. Foam clay, down feathers, paint, varnish, velvet, cardboard, rubber tube, blood, glitter.