October 2019 - February 2020

Philadelphia artist Derick Jones is inspired by “Philly’s buildings, Philly’s people,” and he says, “that Philly—vibe-wise—has implanted itself in my work…especially in the last few years drawing buildings.” Jones is known for his graphic, high contrast drawings that reflect his earlier interests in illustration and sequential art or storytelling through comics. He says that Manga was a big influence on his work, particularly how the artists drew the “scenic establishing shots.” Jones, as he describes, “obsessed over the backgrounds when I drew comics.” Eventually, he decided to eliminate figures from his work and focus solely on what most interested him—drawing the urban landscape.

Today, his black-and-white drawings, with the possible addition of a singular color, feature Philadelphia’s eclectic neighborhoods, side streets, and industrial heritage. Jones captures the city’s array of mismatched rowhomes with their often aged and cobbled renovations along with the abundant power and cable lines that have accumulated over time.

Although Jones’s drawings purposefully don’t depict people, their presence is evident through the built environment created over generations. Philadelphia is described as a city of neighborhoods and each neighborhood defines itself through its own unique character—its homes and its residents. Jones, through his drawings, captures the quintessential and quirky details that define the city—an urban landscape of neighborhoods that are the core of Philly’s identity.

Visit derickjonesart.com.