The South African artist Jonathan Schultz spent his childhood immersed in creativity. Starting with drawing, he expanded into different mediums to create unique art pieces. He created 3-D Pop art gift cards, which developed into a small business, sparking the realization that art as a career was possible. As his interests in life and art expanded, too, he realized his potential in creating art that reflected his passions—like sports, music, and travel.
Over the years, his art evolved to include materials and themes that were resilient, valuable, and desirable. Diamonds, precious metals, and leaves of gold—some of his home country’s most treasured natural resources—appeared on sculptures, canvases, mirrors, and even everyday items like skateboards and chain link fences. When the rise in digital art skyrocketed, he also created NFTs in a series named “GEMESIS” for metaverse consumption on OpenSea.
Courtesy of Johnathan Schultz.
Last December, Schultz opened an eponymous gallery in Miami, concurrently celebrating his artistic collaboration with Lasvit. Above guests visiting for the gallery’s opening were lighting pieces that highlighted the artist’s work, shimmering from the button in light bits of yellow. Surrounding them were other works of Schultz’s, including fingerprints made of diamonds on lit-up mirrors, as well as sculptures and paintings of his iconic “Gem” series—a character the artist is now synonymous with.
Courtesy of Johnathan Schultz.
A few weeks later, timed to the holiday season, he was the star of the White Elephant Gift Exchange party, in collaboration with Pernod Ricard USA. There, he presented a bespoke cocktail trunk he painted, which included hand-blown URI Neptune glasses, bar tools, and a one-of-ten white elephant sculpture from his “Gemesis” NFT collection that allowed the holder to claim a physical diamond.
“I transformed an already stunning trunk into a work of art to display. I used multiple layers of 23 karat gold to look like it was poured over the trunk and to give it a flowing smooth look and made a hard metal look and feel soft,” said Schultz of the creation. “I want people to enjoy my work not just because of its beauty but also because it makes them feel good. With this partnership, I get to share my artistry with people all over the world while elevating one of life’s simple pleasures.”
After the party, Whitewall caught up with Schultz to hear how his recognizable work came to fruition, how his practice has expanded physically and digitally, and what he’s working on this year.
Courtesy of Johnathan Schultz.
WHITEWALL: How has your role in the art world evolved—from being an artist to a gallerist, too? Why?
JOHNATHAN SCHULTZ: From paintings on canvases I expanded to sculptures and incorporated my character Gem into my work. I keep pushing boundaries and push myself to create pieces that usually would be impossible! The next step for me was to also approach the art world differently and to have my own gallery—first to have a focus on my pieces displayed how I want and in the way I’d like others to see them. This in turn inspires me to create more pieces to compliment the gallery which in turn add value to my work.
WW: Why did you open your first gallery in Miami?
JS: I ended up in Miami for commissions and so many events over time that I felt having a constant presence in Miami would be beneficial for my career, as well as a way to share my vision with others that live in and travel to Miami.
WW: What do you feel having an eponymous gallery brings to your practice?
JS: Immediately people realize it’s me. This makes my gallery have to uphold the same quality as what I do. Anyone that knows me, knows I take pride in what I do and what I produce. This means, my gallery has to be the same and I put my name to it. It’s my stamp of approval.
Courtesy of Johnathan Schultz.
WW: Your creations blend nature, precious materials, and cultural iconography. How would you describe your practice?
JS: I would say it’s a unique blend of brilliance and warmth from diamonds and gold with emotions and the senses of one. Incorporating even reflections into my pieces to capture the beholder. I love bringing all these valuable elements together to be admired in one’s home or office.
WW: What techniques, materials, themes, or series do you feel define your work?
JS: I feel I incorporate gold into almost all my works. Either in the settings or gold on canvas, there is almost always a gold element. This combined with Gem, my character, that represents the viewer, is a more full definition of my work. Everyone has value in some form or another. My “Out of the Darkness” series that focuses on one’s self is what Gem’s meaning was derived from. It all ties together.
Courtesy of Johnathan Schultz.
WW: The rise in technology and digital art has changed the way many artists create, or approach their practice as a business—like NFTs. How has it impacted your practice?
JS: NFTs have been an extension to my practice. My first generative collection is the “GEMESIS” which was a successful mint out. I love incorporating technology wherever I can. This has helped me develop more around Gem and to explore digital art while creating more awareness around my work. I now have digital collectors that have my artwork.
WW: How your popular “Gem” series begin?
JS: Gem was created over time. I wanted to create a character that is familiar but unique that we could relate to. From square designs to diamond-shaped head and finally to the rounded shape with diamond-like shaped eyes. I wanted people to decide what the emotions are in the creations. Some ask me, “Why am I sad but still smiling when I see this?’
Courtesy of Johnathan Schultz.
WW: How does the outside world impact your ideas of what to create? Are characters or themes created in response to emotion, politics, climate change, etc.?
JS: I feel we are all going through trying times, in some way or another. I want everyone to know they aren’t alone and to never give up hope. My work inspires hope and love! I also reuse so much of my offcuts to help the environment. Emotions, politics, and climate change all go hand in hand. If we make one part better, it flows over to the others. One of my latest pieces touches on climate change and compassion for animals. It sometimes takes very little to help something else or someone else. And the chandelier that stands as a giant, has diamonds piercing through the oppression of a hard fence but shines through. We need to be the diamonds shining bright!
WW: What will the rest of 2023 bring?
JS: 2023 is a year to expand awareness. I’m planning a lot of collaborations with NFT projects such as Golden Egg Club with Jeremy Fall, as well as one with LG.
I’m busy working on an exhibition that explores time. It’s interesting to me as we can learn from history but the fact that history repeats itself, is an indication that we did not learn from it. Or we keep reverting back to culture from years ago. Aging through time and the effects on the world, from politics to climate change/neglect. I making 2023 be the year of change!
Courtesy of Johnathan Schultz.
