Jonathan Yeo is recognised as one of the world’s leading figurative artists, known for his portraits of notable figures such as King Charles III, Sir David Attenborough, peace activist Malala Yousafzai, actors Dennis Hopper, and Idris Elba, artists Damien Hirst and Grayson Perry, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Yeo’s works have been widely exhibited in museums and galleries globally and have been featured in several major mid-career retrospectives in the UK and abroad.
A self-taught artist, Yeo gained prominence as a figurative painter by the age of thirty through significant official commissions, including one of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, at a time when painting, and especially portraiture, was less popular. His 2007 collage of George Bush established his reputation for both traditional and experimental portraiture. Beyond his Collage Series, Yeo has delved into more conceptual themes, such as his paintings on cosmetic surgery, and his portraits increasingly explore broader concepts and narratives.
