Born in Huddersfield, 1980
Lives and works between London and Margate, UK
Jonathan Trayte’s approach to making sculpture and installation is heavily informed by the natural world. He uses castings and facsimiles to examine the many ways in which we perceive and utilise global resources and environments. Taking inspiration from our modern language of consumption and the manipulation of consumer decision-making, Trayte creates surreal, seductive artworks in a wide variety of forms and textural compositions. Many of these pieces are functional and go on to perform in both private and public settings. Using an extensive range of methods and processes, his work explores the psychology of desire through surface, material, light and colour. Glossy synthetic skins of paint give the work a colourful pop status, a chameleon appearance and an almost edible quality.
Education
2007 - 2010 Postgraduate Diploma Fine Art, Royal Academy Schools, London
2001 - 2004 BA (Hons) Fine Art, Kent Institute of Art and Design, Canterbury
Exhibitions
2024 The Window and the Couch, 74th Arts, Vienna, Austria
Tropical Lines, Siegfried Contemporary, Saanen-Gstaad, Switzerland
2023 The Return of the Baroque, Akara Contemporary, Mumbai
Holding Space, Hauser & Wirth, London
2022 Objects of Desire: Surrealism & Design, Design Museum, London
You Met Me at a Very Strange Time in My Life, L21 LAB, Mallorca
Nilufar X MODES, Modes, Paris
Roaring Twenties, Museum Kranenburgh, Netherlands
2021 MelonMelonTangerine, Friedman Benda, New York
2020 Psychotropics The new Art Centre, Wiltshire, UK
2019 The Spectacle Sculpture in the City, London
New Sculptural Presence Nilufar Gallery, Milan, Italy
Blow Up Friedman Benda, New York, USA
2018 International Ices (solo) Morning Boat Project,Jersey, Channel Islands
Fruiting Habits Friedman Benda, New York
The London Open The Whitechapel Gallery, London
Dream Works Kate MacGarry, London
2017 Schussboomer Castor Projects, London
Tropicana Christies Mayfair, London
You See me Like a UFO Marcelle Joseph Projects, Ascot, Berkshire
Ambiguous Implements ROCO Cooperative, Sheffield
Identify your Limitations, Acknowledge the Periphery Vitrine Gallery, Basel, Switzerland
Art Ikon Whitechapel Gallery, London
Last Chance to Paradise Collar, Manchester
2016 Fashion Arts Foundation Commission Christies, London
Polyculture (solo) The Tetley, Leeds
I Am London Historic England, Central Saint Martains, London
Experiments in Consuming (solo) The Kings School, Canterbury
Table Tannery Projects, London
Closer to the Veg Fitzroy Allotments, London
Gradation AF Projects, London
2015 WFWI Dinner Event Bonhams, London
One Night Stand Maciej Urbanek, London
Shoppers Guide ConverseXDazed Artist Award, Royal Academy of Arts, London
2014 A Union of Voices Horatio Jnr, London
Flat Packed Punk and Sheep, London
Pazar (solo) Marcelle Joseph Projects and Istanbul Art Project, Istanbul, Turkey
Shack Site-specific catering project at Focal Point Gallery, South End on Sea
2013 Alignment Backlit Gallery, Nottingham
Sculpture Alfresco Marcelle Joseph Projects, Surrey
Commission for Shrimpy's London
2012 NADA Art Fair Miami Josh Lilley Gallery, London
Commission for Bistrotheque London
Bryn Lloyd-Evans, John Nielsen, Jonathan Trayte Josh Lilley Gallery, London
2011 Nude (solo) Identity Gallery, Hong Kong
In the Presence of Nature (solo) Canterbury Cathedral, Kent
Under a Pine Tree (solo) Simon Oldfield Gallery, London
Bloomberg New Contemporaries Site Gallery, Sheffield and ICA, London
Restrike Poppy Sebire Gallery, London
2010 New Contemporary Art George and Jorgen, London
Assembly Bearspace, London
Modern Love Simon Oldfield Gallery, London
Show One AF Projects, London
Royal Academy Schools Show Royal Academy of Arts, London
Franks-Suss Collection Saatchi Gallery, London
2009 Bloomberg New Contemporaries Cornerhouse, Man. and Rochelle School, Ldn.
Five Hundred Dollars Vyner Street, London
Premiums Interim Show Royal Academy of Arts, London
Awards and Residencies
2018 Morning Boat Residency Award, Jersey, UK
2016 Fashion Arts Foundation Commission - British Fashion Council, London
2016 Artist in Residence Kings School, Canterbury
2015 Converse X Dazed Emerging Artist Award
2014 Shortlisted for Hiscox City of London Sculpture Commission
Time Out Isanbul Residency and Solo Show
2013 Shortlisted for Stanley Picker Fellowship
2011 Land Securities Award
2010 Dunoyer de Segonzac Prize
Jealous Graduate Print Prize
Ceilia Walker Foundation
2009 Landseer Prize
Ceilia Walker Foundation