Bristol gig legend ‘Big Jeff’ announces new art exhibition in the city

A brand new exhibition from Bristol gig legend ‘Big Jeff’ Johns will go on display at the Glass Room at Bristol Beacon.

From Saturday December 2 until Sunday December 10, Stare will feature a series of self portraits painted during and after lockdown, along with brand new artworks created after his recent accident.

The unmissable and transparent location of Bristol Beacon’s Glass Room will immediately draw visitors to the colour-clad exhibit where each piece will encourage people to ‘Stare’ and look beyond disability and appearance to the person behind it.

Working alongside male mental health group Talk Club, Claremont School, Avon Fire & Rescue and Dan’s Fund For Burns to raise awareness of mental health struggles, disability and injuries, the exhibition will be free to attend - with the initial opening taking place during Beacon’s opening weekend and event The Housewarming.

‘Big Jeff’ was badly injured while cooking at his home in Bristol in 2022. He spent weeks in intensive care and underwent a series of skin grafts.

Jeff’s paintings have been created to surprise and challenge the viewer, instigate conversations about mental health and disability to inspire people in similar situations to make art themselves.

Using art as a form of self-reflection, a lot of the artworks echo the struggles Big Jeff feels around fitting into the world around him.

Big Jeff said: “It feels very special and an honour to be part of Bristol Beacon’s reopening. The new exhibition is a deeply personal collection with paintings reflecting my thoughts both during the pandemic and more recently as I have been in the recovery phase from my burns.

“My work is designed to invite conversation and I can’t think of a better venue to be home to a provocative exhibition than Bristol Beacon, which itself has helped Bristol to confront a number of difficult and controversial issues.”

Todd Wills, Artistic Director at Bristol Beacon, said: “Big Jeff is synonymous with the Bristol music scene and it’s great that we can honour his contribution by hosting his brand new art exhibition here at the Beacon.

“The Housewarming takes place on December 2 and we’ll be flinging open the doors to all parts of the venue with a host of Bristol talent in every part of the building. It’s completely free to attend for everyone and anyone and we encourage you all to immerse yourself in the works of Big Jeff. It’s truly inspiring and not to be missed.”