The Revue: Jonny Gent

Welcome to The Revue, where we ask some of our favourite people about some of their favourite things. The art, music, food, objects and philosophies that matter the most to them. 

Painter, restaurateur and the founder of Sessions Arts Club, Cabin Studio and Boath House, Jonny Gent invited us to his studio to discuss white clothes, rolling the dice, where he enjoys a long lunch, and the lonely love songs of Townes Van Zandt.

1.) Why I love bandanas...

As much as I wear them I carry them in my pocket. I take great comfort in having them on my person. It could be some arc back to my grandfather always having one, or simply that I like the ritual of having one, the folding and tying. What I would never mention is that glorious, childish feeling of pulling it back up over my face and suddenly I’m seven and an outlaw again.

2.) The story behind this painting...

I made that back in April this year. I’ve painted quite a few cowboy paintings. They are always about me running from it all. The desire to be on the road and cold and lean and tough, but I’m none of those things. 

3.) My favourite Townes Van Zandt song is...

I’ll be here in the morning 

It captures the truth that there's nothing bigger than love. The idea that I’ll do anything for it, and the fear of knowing I might fail. 

4.) The best dish at Sessions... 

Right now it’s lovage, goat’s curd and yolk. It’s a seamless plate. In all honesty I’ve never had better. Perfectly capturing Florence’s rare ability to create something otherworldly yet built on classic foundations. There is something Dali-esque about her cooking and plating. 

5.) If I could have a long lunch anywhere it would be...

Riva in Barnes. Negroni, courgette flowers with mozzarella and anchovy, langoustines, vongole, lamb cutlets, tiramisu. Then a short walk home, swaying from lamp post to lamp post  

6.) My mantra for work and life... 

Roll the dice everyday. 

7.) Why I wear white... 

I’m not that into colour. I’m not sure where the white came from. My mum wore whites when she cooked in the pubs and so did the chefs. I liked seeing them in that uniform. I loved seeing de Kooning in white t-shirts. Sleeves rolled up. It feels decisive and clean, it frees up my mind. 

8.) The most stylish artist of all time...

Balthus was good. I liked his string belts and kimonos. Julian Schnabel and Tom Sachs always get it right. As did Basquiat.  

9.) Why I illustrate menus... 

I eat out a lot and keep the menus from the really good or the really bad ones. I love to work on things that already exist. Removing and adding. At art school, after building my canvas and stretchers I would always give them a knock whilst carrying them to my studio. I’d start from this mark. Cabin Studio is about the blur between chef and artist. Menu and canvas. 

10.) The reason I opened a restaurant...

I grew up in pubs and restaurants, my mother cooked in them and my father ran them. I never lived in a house until I went to art school. We always lived in or above the space. My grandfather was head brewer at Greenall Whitely for 25 years, my grandmother had three fish and chip shops.

All my childhood memories are of me surrounded by hundreds of people laughing and crying and singing and fighting and arguing, I’d gently fall asleep to this sound wrapped in the smell of beer and whiskey and food frying. 

Sessions is a long story about painting and watching and decisions and learnings and failures, but mainly about being lucky enough to have beautiful friends, partners, women and a team constantly building and sacrificing. 

The vision is the romance of the studio, and the prehistoric desire to create beautiful things through art, food, music and supplies.