Jonathan de Villiers
Biography
(British, b. 1968)
Paris-based Jonathan de Villiers is often praised for his originality in his photographic practice, and when given editorial assignments, attempts to create ‘edgy’ work that is innovative and against the norm. Whether fashion portraiture, stunning architectural structures or rare landscape shots, de Villiers always delivers with perfectly executed, brilliant representations.
In his teenage years De Villiers photographed his favourite bands on stage and quickly mastered the basics in the dark room. The dedication to developing the negatives and the perfectionism of bringing the images to life transformed into a print studio in London’s Soho; a business that soon counted a client base of award-winning advertising and fashion photographers. However creatively satisfying, the endless hours in the studio was financially less rewarding. By his mid-twenties it was a closed chapter, unlocking the door to a new career in photography shortly after his graduation.
Manila is a shot of the spectacular lobby of architect Leandro Locsin’s Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila, taken whilst de Villiers was on assignment there in 2005. The institution was sponsored by the then first lady Imelda Marcos as part of an ambitious post war construction program for the city.
Cape Town is a view of the houses above the beaches of Clifton, one of Cape Town’s most exclusive and expensive suburbs. This photograph was shot in December 2003 as part of a 12 page story on the city.
The two works by de Villiers were part of an exclusive collaboration between the international design, fashion and lifestyle magazine Wallpaper*, the artist and Eyestorm. Eight established photographers and ten works, many of them past magazine covers, were shortlisted and displayed at the exhibition ‘Wallpaper* Selects’ in London in December 2008. Printed as chromogenic prints on matt paper,
Manila is an edition of 20 and the large-size
Cape Town an edition of only 10. The prints are signed and numbered on front.