 | | Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton |
Jon was born at the Queen Elizabeth hospital with artistry and metal work in his blood. His uncles, grandfathers and great grandfathers, all worked in the metal industry – as press engineers, jewellers, and in the chromium plating and heat treatment professions. "I was used to seeing them in their respective workshops, being around metal all the time, it’s in the blood. My father married an artist. I ended up at art college and I guess the two mix together," explained Jon.
 | | Jon working on a sculpture |
Jon studied at Wolverhampton Polytechnic before being awarded a grant by the Crafts Council to set up his own craft metal working business. Jon Mills has gone on to become known as one of the UK’s finest metal workers. Even though Jon’s family were all ‘in the business’ it was still hard getting started.
 | | Metalwork plane |
"I remember tutors at college saying it would take about 5 years to get established, but I think 10 to 15 are more like the point.
"It was a matter of finding a workshop, making the work, taking it along to galleries, hoping to get an exhibition and keeping at it really, perseverance is the key." Fond memories Jon left Birmingham so he could show his work in London.
 | | Chandelier, Wolves museum & art gallery |
"I realised at that point (in the 1980’s) I wasn’t going to sell my work in the Midlands. The gallery scene in Birmingham seems a lot more vibrant now. I would like to get some pieces exhibited in Birmingham City Museum – I remember my mother taking me around as a child." "I enjoy coming back to Birmingham – I’ve got so many fond memories, it’s where I grew up, it’s where my grandparents use to live – there’s a feel to the place - and all the cast iron street name signs that seem at one with Birmingham." "I still have family up here so love to visit – and I’ve done various commissions. I did a chandelier at the Wolverhampton Museum a few years ago which I’m particularly fond of and am now doing a project with Raddlebarn Primary School." Jon and the Raddlebarn project
 | | Railings incorporating childrens artwork |
Jon was commissioned to design and make impressive new gates for Raddlebarn Primary school’s 100th anniversary, after they’d seen some of the work he's produced. The gates will border the school playground and Muntz Park. The park was originally owned by the Muntz family who made their fortune in the steel industry, so large metal gates made using a traditional craft seemed to be appropriate for the project. Jon said: "I’ve set up a small workshop in the playground, the kids are all making their own little objects associated with park life next to the school and I’m going to incorporate the things we’ve made this week into the gates and railing. "Well, that’s the general idea – though of course the ideas move along a bit when we get them in here. We’ve got lizards playing tennis and worms sliding down slides – a bit of imagination as well."
 | | Matthew and Ayman show off their design |
The gates will be made to reflect the school building and will be about 4 meters at the highest point. The children’s pieces will be incorporated in the workshop, then the whole thing will need to be powdered coated and galvanised to make sure its secure – and not rust. Jon will be on site to supervise the fitting of the gate. A lot of the funding for the gates has been raised within the school, from governments grants, local organisations – from a variety of sources. For more on the children’s work and Raddlebarn School click the link on the left hand side of the page>>>
 | | Dyfi cycle footbridge |
Jon clearly loves the work he does, which is essential as a lot of the commissions are long term projects. Passionate about his work Jon describes his work as architectural ironwork – either functional or structural. Among his favourite pieces of work are: The Wolverhamtpon chandelier. "This is one of my favourites," said Jon. The sort of work Jon does is time consuming and projects can take many months, or sometimes years.
 | | Bird Tree at Birmingham Womens Hospital |
Jon was involved in the design of the bridge over the river Duffy in Wales – it looks amazing. The whole project took a couple of years to complete. As well as long term projects Jon does work for pleasure: "I enjoy doing the sculptural work just for myself – pieces like ‘Birds in a Tree’. Jon gets commissions through the Crafts Council, and some of his pieces have gone abroad. Although Jon left the Midlands to live in Brighton, this is one native who remembers his roots. | 
