At first glance, the paintings of Peter Jones are mere depictions of old and unloved toys. The artist, however, sees them differently: through his eyes, they are historical snapshots of their owners’ lives and, perhaps, in possession of a life of their own.

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Jones, who studied Fine Art at Reading University, pays attention to the unique details of each object, from its condition to its very material - both interior and exterior – in order to capture the toy’s essence on canvas. Beneath his gaze, stuffed animals become the subject of both still-life and portrait, as he brings each item to life.

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In particular, Jones was drawn to the monkey as a symbol of primitive man, after seeing an image of an ancient Egyptian mummified cat. He has since experimented with more vibrant and colourful works, including a complimentary series of lambs and dogs in an imaginary landscape. Their innocence purposefully offsets the primitive nature of their primate counterparts, demonstrating Jones’s inherent talent.

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The artist lives and works in London. His work has been exhibited throughout the UK.