LONDON, ENGLAND.- John Jones, the leading master framers who make bespoke quality frames for clients from the V&A to Hollywood celebrities, have confirmed their ongoing programme of preserving contemporary artworks for the future. They recently simultaneously selected the winner of the Art on Paper Award from Zoo Art Fair and were one of the financial backers of the Tate Frieze Fund 2006, enabling the acquisition of several pieces at Frieze Art Fair for the Tate collection.

For the Art on Paper Award, an eminent selection panel, composed of pop artist Sir Peter Blake, artist Danny Rolph, art critic and curator Sacha Craddock and Diana Eccles, Collections Manager for the British Council, unanimously agreed that David Lock, from FRED London, should be the recipient of the second annual Art on Paper Award.

Lock will receive an attractive package of monetary and in-kind support, with four works purchased for the John Jones Collection and a sum of £1,000 awarded, as well as mounting a solo exhibition of his work at the John Jones gallery space during next year’s Zoo Art Fair. The purchased works will be framed by John Jones and on display with the rest of the collection in the showrooms from November.

Sacha Craddock commented: ‘‘David’s work is a highly accomplished watercolour on paper. It uses the grain of the paper and the build up of paint to create a heightened sense of familiarity within a portrait. The portraits are painted from collaged elements which, collectively handled in such a way, create a convincing sense of the particular. The use of collage to begin with, the painting of the broken, bringing it together to make it whole within the same surface gives a recognition in art that also carries a sweet but sad touch.”

Kate Jones at John Jones said: “The artists exhibited at Zoo Art Fair this year were of an outstanding quality and we were delighted to select David Lock’s watercolour portraits. A young artist, who has only just signed up with a gallery, David’s work demonstrates immense sensitivity and emotion.”

US-based Danica Phelps was last year’s recipient of the Art on Paper Award and her watercolours, in which she fastidiously catalogues her daily expenditures over time, are currently being shown at the John Jones gallery space until 31 October.

John Jones was also a primary sponsor for the special acquisitions Tate Frieze Fund 2006, helping to maintain London’s Tate collection as an ongoing resource of British and contemporary art.

Commented Sir Nicholas Serota, Director of Tate: ‘‘Tate’s budget for acquisitions is extremely limited and collecting contemporary art is essential to building Tate’s Collection for the future. This year’s Frieze Art Fair Special Acquisitions Fund has enabled Tate to acquire as gifts works by 12 artists, 10 of whom are new to Tate. I am grateful to John Jones for their invaluable support which has significantly helped this initiative.’’

Added Kate Jones: ‘‘Tate is key to London’s art, so we are proud and delighted to be able to support its ongoing efforts to provide London with a first class resource for contemporary art.’’