Jonathan Dalton

Born 1977
Lives and works in Sydney

Artist's CV

Represented by nanda\hobbs

Dark, tinted scenes hint at an unfolding and curious story that the viewer has to imagine from the characters and their ambiguous surroundings.

Jonathan Dalton was born in 1977 in Dublin, Ireland. He studied philosophy at University College Dublin, then opened a photography studio before moving to full-time painting. He has also lived in San Francisco, London and Granada, Spain.

Dalton’s work is concerned with the delicate observation of nuanced drama and subtle symbolism. Each piece is an expression of a charged moment—often ambiguous, frequently troubling, always refusing to submit to closure. The outcome is layer after layer of paint, deftly and meticulously applied, creating an image with depth and theatricality that elevate it beyond a photorealist frame of reference.

\ Artworks

Abdul (2018 Archibald finalist painting)

2018 \ Oil on linen \ 141 x 171 cm

And It Was All Going So Well Until Then

2023 \ Oil on Linen \ 137 x 122cm

SOLD

Big Bowl

2017 \ Oil on canvas \ 182x213cm

SOLD

Burning Time

2023 \ Oil on Gesso on Board \ 50 x 40cm

SOLD

Camera

2019 \ Oil on board \ 55 x 60cm

SOLD

Cataloging Swans

2023 \ Oil on Board \ 70 x 60cm

SOLD

DISCO!

2023 \ Oil on linen \ 137 x 122cm

SOLD

Eggs and Pears

2020 \ Oil on board \ 60 x 60cm

SOLD

I'm Ready for my Close Up Mr DeMille

2023 \ Oil on linen \ 137 x 122cm

SOLD

Onions in plastic bag

2017 \ Oil on linen \ 30x30cm

SOLD

Ramesh and the Artist Ramesh

2021 \ Oil on Linen \ 152x183 \ Finalist, 2021 Archibald Prize \ Available

The Implied Escalation to Violence

2016 \ Oil on canvas \ 91 x 120cm

SOLD

Two Crows Discuss the Merits of Equine Control

2016 \ Oil on board \ 50 x 70cm

SOLD

Two fish visit their friends in the city

2021 \ Oil on linen \ 122 x 138cm

SOLD

We Invited A Few Friends to Tea

2023 \ Oil on linen \ 137 x 122cm

SOLD

\ News

News

JONATHAN DALTON "THE SUBTLE ART OF THEATRICAL REALISM: A TEN-YEAR SURVEY" — ON SHOW AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE GALLERY

17 July 2023

A significant milestone in Jonathan Dalton's career—the University of Newcastle Art Gallery is exhibiting a ten-year survey exhibition of the artist's work from 14 July to 2 September. 

Read more

\ Exhibitions featuring Jonathan Dalton

Jonathan Dalton

MELBOURNE ART FAIR

22 February — 25 February 2024

Jonathan Dalton

The Black Swan and Other Lost Poems

13 April — 29 April 2023

Jonathan Dalton

This brutal, muted serenity

16 November — 27 November 2021

9 x 5"

Group Exhibition

22 January — 6 February 2021

MYTH

Group Exhibition

5 August — 22 August 2020

MELBOURNE ART FAIR

Jonathan Dalton & Dianne Gall

3 June — 7 June 2020

Jonathan Dalton

The Immoral Symmetry

21 November — 14 December 2019

SPRING SHOW

Group Exhibition

10 September — 15 September 2019

Summer Show

Group Exhibition

5 December — 22 December 2018

Sydney Contemporary Stand D05

Giles Alexander, Dianne Gall, Jonathan Dalton & Stuart McLachlan

13 September — 16 September 2018

Summer Exhibition

Group Exhibition

6 December 2017 — 20 January 2018

Jonathan Dalton

A Beauty Imperfect

13 March — 24 March 2017

Jonathan Dalton

The Remnants of a Migrant's Tale

23 June — 8 July 2016

Brave New World

Group Exhibition

18 August — 28 August 2015

Contact Us

to find out more about Jonathan Dalton.

12 - 14 Meagher Street Chippendale, NSW 2008
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm Saturday, 11am - 4pm Closed Public Holidays (and Easter Saturday)