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.
Paradox Art is led by Jonathan Wood- gallerist, marketer, art historian, curator and consultant. It is the culmination of decades of wearing many hats in the art world, augmented by several years working in the corporate marketing world. This unique combination of experience, positions him to help both collectors beautify their lives and artists amplify their careers.
For the full story, scroll down to read Jonathan's bio.
Jonathan's first gallery, Friesen Abmeyer Fine Art in Seattle.
Jonathan Wood's love of art is life-long. Many of his formative memories were encounters with art and architecture: mesmerized by the rhythmic carving of First Nation totem pole sculptors; awed by soaring spires atop gravity-defying cathedrals; fascinated by art's ability to transmit messages and ideas to both the mainstream and the margins. Those early seeds that spawned Jonathan's desire to learn about and experience art continued to grow.
At Emory University Jonathan’s passion grew, completing a degree in art history and anthropology in 2000. After two years as a teacher for children on the autism spectrum, Jonathan went on to pursue a masters in art history at University of Washington in Seattle, focusing on contemporary Native American art. While at UW he expanded his love of art worldwide, teaching undergraduate courses covering African, European, American and Asian art.
It was within the avid Seattle music scene that Jonathan learned about his passion for helping artists…albeit of a different type. He began managing bands before launching an indie rock/pop record label in 2004. Later wanting to apply what he learned promoting music with his education in visual art, Jonathan took an internship at an established art gallery in Seattle. While there he worked his way up to sales associate and director before acquiring the gallery and rebranding it as Friesen Abmeyer Fine Art in 2010, and then Abmeyer + Wood Fine Art the following year.
During more than a decade as owner of Abmeyer + Wood, Jonathan organized, curated and marketed over a hundred exhibitions featuring hundreds more artists. He served as president of the Seattle Art Dealers Association, trustee on museum boards, chair of art auctions and charity galas, and generated art sales for his represented and exhibited artists totaling in the eight-figures.
Some exhibitions curated by Jonathan Wood.
In 2020 during the pandemic with the city on lockdown, Jonathan developed an ecommerce art marketplace for emerging artists. Then wanting to be closer to family, he moved to St. Petersburg, Florida and spent a few years in the corporate world as a marketing and social media director. While appreciating the opportunity to enhance his skills in branding and sales strategy. Jonathan couldn't stay away from the art world for long. With Paradox Art he takes advantage of his years of vast and varied experience and both old and new relationships that stretch from coast to coast.
When he's not working, Jonathan enjoys traveling, cooking, live music, snowboarding, fishing, hiking and other outdoor adventures.
See Jonathan Wood with Art Zone's Nancy Guppy, discussing the iconic Doris Chase and her exhibition at Abmeyer + Wood Fine Art.