A retrospective exhibition of paintings and wood carvings by the late artist Jo Brown will be held at The Mayfly Gallery in Lowestoft throughout September, with proceeds from sales donated to St Martins, the Norwich homelessness charity that supported him in the final years of his life.
The exhibition, featuring paintings and wood carvings, will run from September 3 – 30 at The Mayfly Gallery, High Street, Lowestoft. Organised by Jo’s family following his death in June this year, the exhibition will celebrate the life and creative legacy of a talented and distinctive man whose life was shaped by spirituality, creativity and mental illness. Born into a family of five children in Bristol, he attended Bristol Cathedral School, where he achieved an A grade in A-level Art. In the year below him was the now internationally renowned street artist Banksy.
After leaving school, Jo became involved with Guru Maharaj Ji’s Divine Light Mission and spent two years living in an ashram in Leicester. He later moved to London, where he lived in squats and housing co-ops. His artistic vision and spiritual interests came together in an ambitious plan to create a communal village and spiritual centre in south London. As part of the project, he painted a large-scale mural entitled The Oak Tree of Albion on the side of a three-storey building near Herne Hill.
When those plans failed to materialise, Jo moved to the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, where he developed his skills as a wood carver. However, a period of isolation coincided with the onset of severe mental illness, beginning a decades-long struggle with his mental health.
Despite the challenges he faced, Jo continued to create art throughout his life. The exhibition brings together paintings and wood carvings produced both before and after the onset of his illness, offering a powerful insight into his creativity, imagina
tion and resilience.
In later life – in April 2024 Jo became a resident at Webster Court, a St Martins service in Norwich providing housing and care for people over 50 who have experienced homelessness or housing insecurity. The service supported him during his final years.
All profits from sales during the exhibition will be donated to St Martins in recognition of the care and support Jo received.
Chris Bignall, Head of Supported Living for St Martins said, “Jo lived with us at Webster Court for just over two years, and in that time remained very creative, often was seen crafting sculptures and objet d’art from bits of wood he had retrieved from nature. He was a well-known figure around the city centre, spending a lot of his day in and around the market, with a favourite pastime of visiting local coffee shops. Jo was a valued member of our Webster Court community, and his unexpected death was a shock to us all. I would like to thank Jo’s family for giving St Martins the opportunity of promoting this exhibition of his work, continuing his legacy and for their more than generous offering of making a donation to us in Jo’s name.”
Event details
- Retrospective Exhibition of paintings and wood carvings by Jo Brown
- 3rd – 30th September 2026
- The Mayfly Gallery, High Street, Lowestoft