Jay Deacon is a Cheltenham-based artist whose work brings together a love of sport, design and craftsmanship.

At 29, Jay has already developed a varied creative background. A keen tennis player and former carpenter, he is the man behind DeacsDesigns, creating distinctive hand-finished designs on Converse trainers. He is now turning his attention more fully towards art, combining his practical skills with a playful, contemporary approach to materials.

Sport is a recurring influence in Jay’s work. Tennis balls — and increasingly golf balls — are transformed from familiar everyday objects into striking framed compositions, often using repetition, colour and subtle variations to create graphic, highly tactile pieces. The recognisable materials give the work an immediate sense of fun, while the carefully considered layouts give them a strong contemporary design aesthetic.

The care and precision in Jay’s work carries through even to the framing, with each piece finished and framed by Jay himself.

The result is distinctive 3D wall art that gives familiar sporting materials an unexpected new identity.