Mark Brazier Jones

Mark Brazier-Jones has been creating furniture and lighting for over 20 years. His body of work trespasses into the world of the classical, surreal and theatrical. Despite the often unconventional appearance of his designs the old cliche still applies that form follows function - he has gone from shocking the design world to being sought after in the highest circles. Working with precious metals such as bronze and aluminium, and glass lenses and crystals on his lighting, Mark's design has influenced many. As well as bespoke pieces unique to individual clients requirements, Mark has a collection of work that can be made to order. Mark Brazier-Jones is an individual with a curious nature. Master furniture and lighting designer, sculptor, artist and engineer extraordinare - his talents are as diverse as his passions. Testament to his success is that his work is held in the permanent collections of museums such as The Victoria & Albert Museum in London, The Boston Museum of Art, The American Craft Museum in New York and even the ever fastidious Louvre in Paris deemed his work worthy for inclusion. A native of New Zealand Mark moved to London as a young boy and though he found the contrast of his earlier wild and barefoot freedom at first hard to take, he soon adapted to the urban life and found it equally stimulating. Life is inspiration for Mark - that and centuries past - the 17th and 18th Centuries and medieval period appeal the most - not just the furniture but the engineering and fashions as well as some of the great artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and the sculptures of Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The work of Henry Ford is another great favourite, with several original vehicles from the 1930's being in Mark's personal collection. Commentators on the contemporary design scene have tried to categorise his style as many things, from neo-classical to baroque - but this is work that should not be pigeon holded. "Explanation is the enemy of art" states Brazier-Jones. "In a world obsessed with minamalism - which is another way of saying 'manufacture for less, sell for more' my work contrasts in the fact that there is detail and production value. To the simple minds of journalists the work of describing what I am up to is perhaps to long winded thus the use of expedient pigeon holes!" Much of Mark's furniture from the standard collection is created as limited editions - these pieces blur the boundaries between art and design and are regarded as truly original, heirlooms in their own right - many of the editions having sold out. Mark spends much of his time these days working on bespoke items for discerning clients and new collections.