Paradox Art
Artist Advisor and Collection Consultant
Creativity, Knowledge and Experience You Can Trust
Led by Jonathan Wood- gallerist, marketer, art historian, curator and consultant- Paradox Art offers artist career advisory and collection consultation services by an experienced industry expert. Read below to learn more about Jonathan and his path to creating Paradox Art.
My fascination with art began in childhood and grew while majoring in art history and anthropology at Emory University. Two impactful years teaching children on the autism spectrum followed before I moved to Seattle to pursue an MA in Art History at the University of Washington. Along the way I discovered it was not only art that interested me, but also helping build meaningful careers for people that created it.
This began amidst Serattle’s bustling music scene when I founded an indie rock & pop record label in 2005. I learned that talent alone often isn’t enough and artists need advocates- people who understand their work, believe in it and know how to help others see its value. Combining this idea with my education in the visual arts, I approached an established Seattle gallery. I started at the bottom as an unpaid intern, moved into sales and eventually became director, before acquiring and rebranding it as Abmeyer + Wood Fine Art.
Running the gallery over the next decade, I organized and curated more than 100 exhibitions, acted as president of the Seattle Art Dealers Association, served on boards of museums and non-profits, and helped the artists I achieve significant career milestones. While I enjoyed the honor of working with established artists in major collections, helping launch the careers of new talent remains a passion.
The pandemic prompted a pivot into art e-commerce and a move to St. Petersburg, Florida to be closer to family, where I spent several years working in corporate marketing. That experience gave me another set of tools: a deeper understanding of how to build a brand around a product or person. But eventually, the art world pulled me back.
Some exhibitions curated by Jonathan Wood
Paradox Art is the culmination of my time in the art and marketing worlds. I now work on both sides of the art ecosystem, helping collectors find artwork they genuinely connect with and coaching artists who want to build sustainable careers.
In both cases my approach is informal yet informed. I believe expertise should make the art world easier to understand, not more intimidating. Whether I’m working with an artist or a collector, the objective is the same: to make a world that can often feel confusing or overwhelming more approachable, and to create stronger connections between artists, their work and the people who value it.
See Jonathan Wood with Art Zone's Nancy Guppy, discussing the iconic Doris Chase and her exhibition at Abmeyer + Wood Fine Art.
To dive deeper or see more exhibitions curated by Jonathan, check out Abmeyer + Wood Fine Art's social media
Jonathan's gallery in Seattle.
Why Paradox?
A paradox at first glance seems contradictory, illogical or even absurd, but upon closer examination can reveal a deeper truth. In other words if you look beyond the black or white, there's discovery and beauty in the gray. Similarly, we strive to help you find your place and what makes you happy within the oft-overwhelming, and at times, paradoxical world of art.