In the autumn of 2025, London’s art scene is illuminated by two compelling exhibitions that delve into the nuances of human experience through distinct artistic lenses. Jonathan Schofield’s The Defiance of Summer and Conrad Shawcross’s The Nervous System (Umbilical) offer audiences a chance to engage with contemporary art that challenges perceptions and invites introspection.
Jonathan Schofield: The Defiance of Summer
Venue: Vivienne Roberts Projects, London
Dates: 30 September – 21 November 2025
Website: viviennerobertsprojects.com
Artistic Vision
Jonathan Schofield, a London-based painter and Royal College of Art graduate, presents a series of figurative works that explore the interplay between beauty, leisure, and underlying tension. His paintings often depict moments of everyday life—such as a girl in a pink swimsuit holding a garden hose or a figure lounging by a pool—rendered in vibrant colors and bold compositions. These scenes, while outwardly serene, are imbued with a sense of ambiguity and introspection. Schofield’s work reflects a return to painting after a successful career in fashion, notably as a creative director at Stella McCartney. His transition back to the canvas was catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed him to reconnect with the discipline and creative insights gained from the commercial fashion industry (Wallpaper*).
Featured Works
- The Defiance of Summer (2024): A near two-meter-high painting depicting a modern girl in a pink swimsuit, sunglasses masking her gaze, garden hose raised like a weapon. The piece evokes a sense of youthful rebellion and introspection.
- Not the End (2025): An oil and beeswax on linen piece measuring 225 x 150 cm, showcasing Schofield’s exploration of materiality and texture.
- FOMO in Paris (2025): A vibrant depiction of a figure in a Parisian setting, capturing the essence of contemporary urban life.
Critical Reception
Schofield’s work has been lauded for its ability to capture the fleeting beauty of modern life while revealing deeper, often unspoken truths. His paintings are seen as a commentary on the constructed ideals of fashion and lifestyle, offering a critical yet affectionate engagement with these themes. The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of identity, aspiration, and the passage of time.
Conrad Shawcross: The Nervous System (Umbilical)
Venue: The Timber Yard, Here East, London
Dates: 11 September – 2 November 2025
Website: hereeast.com
Concept and Execution
Conrad Shawcross, known for his intricate sculptures that blend art, science, and philosophy, unveils his most ambitious work to date: The Nervous System (Umbilical). Standing 10 meters tall and spanning 12 meters in diameter, this kinetic installation features 40 interlocking arms that continuously weave a rope in unique, never-repeating sequences. The piece is a part of Shawcross’s ‘Rope Makers’ series and reflects his ongoing exploration of the intersections between physics, philosophy, and art (Victoria Miro).
Symbolism and Interpretation
The installation draws parallels between the machine’s movements and the orbiting patterns of planets in a galaxy—constantly expanding and flattening. The unpredictable, fragile nature of the sculpture mirrors the delicate state of our own planet. As the machine operates, it leaves behind a coiled rope, serving as a symbolic record of time’s passage. The project challenges viewers to consider the connections between cause and effect, action and consequence, and the impermanence of existence (Wallpaper*).
Artistic Legacy
Shawcross’s work is celebrated for its meticulous engineering and conceptual depth. The Nervous System (Umbilical) exemplifies his ability to merge scientific principles with artistic expression, creating a piece that is both visually striking and intellectually stimulating. The installation invites audiences to reflect on the complexities of time, existence, and the interconnectedness of all things.
Comparative Analysis
While Schofield and Shawcross operate in different mediums—painting and sculpture, respectively—their works share thematic concerns with the passage of time, identity, and the human condition. Schofield’s figurative paintings capture moments of personal introspection and societal observation, often through the lens of fashion and leisure. In contrast, Shawcross’s kinetic sculpture embodies the cyclical nature of time and the interconnectedness of all actions. Both artists in
London’s autumn art season is marked by two significant exhibitions that delve into the complexities of human experience and perception. Jonathan Schofield’s The Defiance of Summer and Conrad Shawcross’s The Nervous System (Umbilical) offer audiences a chance to engage with contemporary art that challenges perceptions and invites introspection.
Jonathan Schofield: The Defiance of Summer
Venue: Vivienne Roberts Projects, London
Dates: 30 September – 21 November 2025
Website: viviennerobertsprojects.com
Artistic Vision
Jonathan Schofield, a London-based painter and Royal College of Art graduate, presents a series of figurative works that explore the interplay between beauty, leisure, and underlying tension. His paintings often depict moments of everyday life—such as a girl in a pink swimsuit holding a garden hose or a figure lounging by a pool—rendered in vibrant colors and bold compositions. These scenes, while outwardly serene, are imbued with a sense of ambiguity and introspection. Schofield’s work reflects a return to painting after a successful career in fashion, notably as a creative director at Stella McCartney. His transition back to the canvas was catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed him to reconnect with the discipline and creative insights gained from the commercial fashion industry.
Featured Works
- The Defiance of Summer (2024): A near two-meter-high painting depicting a modern girl in a pink swimsuit, sunglasses masking her gaze, garden hose raised like a weapon. The piece evokes a sense of youthful rebellion and introspection.
- Not the End (2025): An oil and beeswax on linen piece measuring 225 x 150 cm, showcasing Schofield’s exploration of materiality and texture.
- FOMO in Paris (2025): A vibrant depiction of a figure in a Parisian setting, capturing the essence of contemporary urban life.
Critical Reception
Schofield’s work has been lauded for its ability to capture the fleeting beauty of modern life while revealing deeper, often unspoken truths. His paintings are seen as a commentary on the constructed ideals of fashion and lifestyle, offering a critical yet affectionate engagement with these themes. The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of identity, aspiration, and the passage of time.
Conrad Shawcross: The Nervous System (Umbilical)
Venue: The Timber Yard, Here East, London
Dates: 11 September – 2 November 2025
Website: hereeast.com
Concept and Execution
Conrad Shawcross, known for his intricate sculptures that blend art, science, and philosophy, unveils his most ambitious work to date: The Nervous System (Umbilical). Standing 10 meters tall and spanning 12 meters in diameter, this kinetic installation features 40 interlocking arms that continuously weave rope in unique, never-repeating sequences. The piece is a part of Shawcross’s ‘Rope Makers’ series and reflects his ongoing exploration of the intersections between physics, philosophy, and art.
Symbolism and Interpretation
The installation draws parallels between the machine’s movements and the orbiting patterns of planets in a galaxy—constantly expanding and flattening. The unpredictable, fragile nature of the sculpture mirrors the delicate state of our own planet. As the machine operates, it leaves behind a coiled rope, serving as a symbolic record of time’s passage. The project challenges viewers to consider the connections between cause and effect, action and consequence, and the impermanence of existence.
Artistic Legacy
Shawcross’s work is celebrated for its meticulous engineering and conceptual depth. The Nervous System (Umbilical) exemplifies his ability to merge scientific principles with artistic expression, creating a piece that is both visually striking and intellectually stimulating. The installation invites audiences to reflect on the complexities of time, existence, and the interconnectedness of all things.
Comparative Analysis
While Schofield and Shawcross operate in different mediums—painting and sculpture, respectively—their works share thematic concerns with the passage of time, identity, and the human condition. Schofield’s figurative paintings capture moments of personal introspection and societal observation, often through the lens of fashion and leisure. In contrast, Shawcross’s kinetic sculpture embodies the cyclical nature of time and the interconnectedness of all actions. Both artists invite viewers to engage with their works on a deeper level, prompting reflection on the complexities of modern life.
Conclusion
Jonathan Schofield’s The Defiance of Summer and Conrad Shawcross’s The Nervous System (Umbilical) offer audiences in London a rich tapestry of contemporary art that challenges perceptions and invites introspection. Through their distinct artistic practices, both artists explore themes of identity, time, and the human experience, providing viewers with opportunities to engage with art that is both thought-provoking and visually compelling.