Joanna Bryant Projects will present a new solo show by François Pont.

Using black ink, anthracite charcoals and thin washes of fresh, dancing colour, François Pont’s engravings/paintings offer a sense of space and rhythm in the landscape – valleys, mountains, lagoons, crossings, openings, passages and regeneration.

Several years ago, whilst on a residency in Berlin, François discovered the urban wastelands. These uncultivated patches, in the heart of the city, are spaces of freedom for weeds that arise without conditioning. They are a beautiful metaphor for what will be born and what we do not yet know. François now lives and works in London where he takes care of small patches of English-style urban gardens.

The spontaneity and lightness of transparent colour wash applied to delicate Chinese paper, combined with the repetitive and laborious methods of printing, give new and unique life to each engraving. The large format of each print opens up the space, interrupted by gestural accents and lines that rise, descend, dig and move away, capturing all the vibrations of the wastelands and the gardens of François Pont – his landmarks in this vast world.

François Pont is particularly interested in traditional as well as experimental techniques of printmaking. He works on his own press in London, and in collaboration with Raymond Meyer, master printer and publisher of artist books in Switzerland, where his large scale prints are produced.

Born in Switzerland in 1957, François has lived in London since 1979 and studied at Chelsea, Byam Shaw and Camberwell, graduating with a Postgraduate Degree in Printmaking in 1989. He has had many solo exhibitions in London, Berlin and Switzerland, including at the Foundation Louis Moret in Martigny. His work is in the collections of the V&A Museum, St Thomas’s Hospital, Swiss National Print collection in Zurich, Cabinet des Estampes, Vevey and Art Museum of Valais, Sion.