The new exhibition year opened with an excellent display of art works at Gallery East.  Sculptor Tony Jones, jeweller Pam Jones and emerging artist Ben Jones display their very different artforms to produce a highly satisfying visual experience.

Pam's oxidised sterling silver brooches are delicate yet potent images that ask the spectator to consider them as objects that go beyond personal adornment.  Her architectural inspired works own a strength akin to the original edifices that inspired them while fitting gracefully in the hand.  I particularly like Pavilion for its charcoal drawing effect.  Here the artist has given volume to the columns and the dome by treating the surface of the brooch tonally to create shadow effects.

Her boat series involves sailing yachts racing with the wind, a stately ocean liner cleaving the water's surface, even a humble canoe.  Like all Pam's exhibits, these sea inspired works are well displayed on textured blue card.  They delight the viewer with their imaginative subjects and flawless technique.

Also inspired by water are Tony's small bronze images.  Ocean swells roll under a stricken aeroplane, capsized boats, even an iceberg, while in one exhibit the waves morph into a ship's hull.  Even his Engineer 1 & 2, beautiful compositions involving three disparate objects - a sea shell, wheels, a horse's head - reference water as they relate to the life and death of C.Y. O'Connor.  Patinated to a sea green and waxed smooth, these small works are placed on rough looking timber plinths.  They evoke human narratives and invite touch.

The monumental works by Tony set in the Gallery's courtyard are quite different.  A variety of sculpted shapes and found objects in weathered timber or rusted metal are combined to create fascinating structures that intrigue and impress.  They have a certain grace about them despite their roughened surfaces.

Ben's work seems somehow out of place here.  They reveal a strong talent for drawing, a sure ability with paint and an distinctly illustrative style however there is a certain arrogance about them.  Perhaps it is his choice of scrap timber and discarded pieces of metal for painting surfaces, the adolescent subjects, cartoon like imagery or haphazard presentation.  His exhibits tend to jar when seen in this refined space together with the elegance and eloquence of Pam and Tony's work.

The rawness in Ben's work is no doubt intentional as it is well handled, he can create a sensitive line on an unyielding surface.  It may be his way of making an artistic statement or a generational comment which is all well and good.  If so, a solo exhibition in a venue more suited to his visual language would better suit his efforts.  I look forward to seeing more of his work.

Jones + Jones + Jones is a fine way to start the new visual art year.