Big Jeff: ‘You can get through your tough times’

On a recent morning, a familiar figure posed next to a stencil of himself that has been painted to mark the opening of his new art exhibition.

That familiar figure in a stencil by Stewy is Jeffrey Johns, known to almost everyone as Big Jeff, a bonafide Bristol legend who almost lost his life in June 2022 when he was seriously injured in a fire at his flat in Totterdown.

Big Jeff’s new exhibition at the newly renamed Kennedy Room in the foyer of the Bristol Beacon chronicles his journey before and during lockdown, to his accident and then into his recovery.

The exhibition is called ‘Stare’ and features a series of self portraits alongside a collaborative piece painted by students at Claremont School in Henleaze in response to Jeff’s art.

Jeff hopes that his paintings can start conversations about mental health and disability in order to inspire people in similar situations, perhaps even leading them to make art themselves.

Prolific gig-goer and artist Big Jeff outside his new exhibition at the Bristol Beacon, next to a stencil of him by Stewy – photo: Martin Booth

“I’m just taking it all in really,” Jeff told Bristol24/7 as he took a seat for a rest in the Kennedy Room – formerly known as the Glass Room – during a busy morning of promoting his new exhibition.

“It’s a feeling of overwhelming emotion in many ways. I’m definitely getting a sense of pride, thinking, ‘wow, I did this’.

“It’s almost like memories coming back for me. I haven’t seen a lot of these paintings for quite a while. It’s sometimes only on reflection that you realise what you have created is potentially something quite beautiful.”

‘I Crey For You’ by Jeffrey Johns – courtesy of Big Jeff Johns Art

When he was in the burns unit after the accident, Jeff used art as a way to regain muscular strength and memory, painting on a window at Southmead Hospital.

He also had to teach himself to paint right-handed while his left hand remained bandaged.

Life and Death, the largest painting in the exhibition, shows Jeff on a ventilator during a previous stay in hospital where he was put in a coma for three days after an appendicitis operation went badly wrong.

“It’s about how my life was in the balance,” he explained.

During lockdown, Jeff went through a phase of painting solely in black and white, a few of which are on display here for the first time.

Since his accident, Jeff has returned to gig-going, most recently Derya Yıldırım and Grup Şimşek at Strange Brew. He was also invited to play with his band at the Green Man festival in August.

‘Passion’ by Jeffrey Johns – courtesy of Big Jeff Johns Art

“I want people to take away feelings of emotions. The fact that they are paintings that reflect sometimes troubling parts of my life, sometimes joyful feelings,” Jeff added.

“Whatever your biggest barriers are, you can face them. I’ve come through this. You can get through your tough times.”

Stare, presented by Bristol Beacon and Crosstown Concerts and supported by Arts Council England, is at the Bristol Beacon until Friday and is free to attend. For more information, visit www.bigjeffjohnsart.com

Read next:

• Prolific gig-goer Big Jeff reveals art exhibition plans
• Breakfast With Bristol24/7: Jeffrey Johns
• Outpouring of well wishes for Big Jeff on his return home from hospital

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