Jon Roberton:
When I walked into the confined but cosy studio of Jon Roberton, I was greeted with a bounty of the typical staples one would associate with a enigmatic creative. Huge bay windows overlooking the 'kingston skyline' (albeit the backdrop leaves little to be desired), a mess of paints and canvases, a little SONY radio beyond the times of its surroundings, and the odd guilty wine glass still sticky with strongly scented resin. This indulged my curiosity and I was excited to meet the artist who's work was birthed within this curious hovel.
The man himself was sat upon a worn stool, and gestured for me to take a seat on the far more preferable armchair. Clearly a polite and generous character, I had already warmed to him. We were
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here to discuss the future of the Fusion Arts Building, his studio, and the fates that recently befell it. Due to the planned expansion to Eden Walk, the artists resident at the FusionArtsBuilding have just over a year to figure out where they'll be taking their fold-up easels, drying paintings, dreams, and macbook pros.
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"They should make accommodation for us, they should provide for the community." Jon says, looking at me with a difficult expression. "Fusion Arts is, effectively, a charity. Keeping creative people from the confines of derelict attics and basements."
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From what I have experienced of the Fusion building, I could certainly agree with what Jon was saying. It was a wonderful community that brought artists out of the shadows.
Changing
landscapes
"Fusion Arts is, effectively, a charity. Keeping creative people from the confines of derelict attics and basements."
An incredibly diverse array of talented individuals as tight-knit as family members, all honing their crafts in comfortable unison.
"It's a lot less lonely here."