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Duane Jones

SUMMER ~ 2025

During his time as PAVIA’s Artist-in-Residence, Vere “Duane” Jones Jr. brought his expansive, genre-blending practice into dialogue with both community and place. Known for his bold use of symbolism, colour, and typography to spark cultural conversation, Duane used the residency as a chance to create, reflect, and engage in ways that extend beyond the studio walls.

While here, Duane recorded several episodes of his Art Pays Me podcast, amplifying the voices of other artists and opening up space for artist dialogue. He also stepped into the public sphere, contributing a striking mural for the Halifax YMCA as part of the Halifax Mural Festival. The piece — celebrating the Panthers basketball team — combined his graphic sensibility with his commitment to community storytelling, becoming an instant landmark in Halifax’s Northend.

Throughout his residency, Duane continued to explore the questions at the heart of his practice: how visual language can shape culture, challenge assumptions, and push us toward self-reflection. His time at PAVIA was not just about making work, but about connecting — with audiences, with fellow artists, and with the larger cultural fabric of Halifax. In doing so, he reminded us that art is as much about conversation and collaboration as it is about canvas and paint.

DUANE JONES

Vere “Duane” Jones Jr. (1981), is an award-winning conceptualartist, designer and podcast host with degrees from Bermuda College, NSCAD University and Dalhousie University. Duane regularly contributes to creative juries and boards to advocate for member of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia’s Curatorial committee, is a former member of the NSCAD University Board of Governors and former president of the NSCAD Alumni Association.

Duane is fascinated by how visual language is used to shift culture and change or reinforce prevailing beliefs. His genre-blending creative process requires concept to dictate medium. His practice includes works on paper and canvas, corporate identity, public art and fashion – all brought together by his penchant for employing symbolism, colour and typography to elicit audience responses.

For more info visit artpaysme.com

artist statement

Behind all my artistic practice is the fact I’m a British/Québécoise hybrid from a mixed-race family schooled in Nova Scotia and North Staffordshire with a childhood stint in a village in Fleurines, Duane Jones’ practice consists of painting, drawing and graphic work that ranges between figurative, abstract and typographic depending on the intended message. His expressive paintings feature heavy usage of paint that sometimes form sculptural shapes that sit in stark contrast to his minimalist graphic work.

Duane’s art is informed by popular culture and often explores race, gender and sex. His work is an outpouring of his own self-reflection, skepticism and willingness to learn and feel discomfort. His work holds a mirror up to the viewer and sends them on their own journey to self-reflection.