By Jonathan Monk — BA (Hons) Fine Art Sculpture | Scenic Artist | Painter | Prop Maker

Jurraf were thrilled to be approached by The Hub to support the recent reimagining of Brewhouse Yard Museum, nestled beneath the historic walls of Nottingham Castle.
Working as a sub‑contracted scenic artist, painter and prop maker, I contributed to the transformation of this much‑loved heritage site.

❓ What does Brewhouse Yard look like now

Due to contractual agreements, I’m unable to share images of the completed museum.
However, I can wholeheartedly recommend visiting Brewhouse Yard in person — the craftsmanship, storytelling and immersive detail are worth the trip.

🎓 How I Became a Scenic Artist

My route into scenic art wasn’t linear — it was a blend of fine art training, hands‑on making, and a background in construction and refinishing.

• BA (Hons) Fine Art Sculpture — a multidisciplinary degree that taught me material understanding, form, texture and visual storytelling.
• Construction & refinishing experience — practical skills that translate directly into scenic fabrication, durability, and large‑scale surface work.
• A chance meeting in London — the moment everything aligned.
• Theme park work — Scenic Artist & Prop Maker roles at Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park, again subcontracted, where I learned the pace, precision and creativity required for themed environments.
  This combination of fine art, craftsmanship and real‑world making naturally evolved into a career in scenic art.

🎭 What Does a Scenic Artist Do

A scenic artist brings environments to life — whether for museums, theme parks, theatre, film or immersive attractions.
Some of the core responsibilities include:

• Interpreting and analysing design concepts from art directors and production designers
• Mixing and colour‑matching paints to existing scenery and reference materials
• Applying base coats, primary layers and final finishes to all visible scenic elements
• Sculpting and shaping organic foam to create realistic textures and backgrounds
• Painting large‑scale backdrops and environmental surfaces
• Supporting prop makers with specialist paints, textures and scenic finishes
• Maintaining the visual quality of existing installations
• Managing tools, materials and workspaces to professional standards
  It’s a discipline that blends fine art, technical skill, problem‑solving and a deep understanding of materials.

🎨 “Are you Jonathan Monk the famous artist?

No — I’m not the conceptual artist represented by Lisson Gallery.
That’s this Jonathan Monk: www.lissongallery.com/artists/jonathan-monk

Although I am an Artist and my name is Jonathan Monk, you can find my original artwork available through:
www.saatchiart.com/jonathan-monk

Jurraf