Charles Hollis Jones
Encyclopedia
Charles Hollis Jones is an American artist and furniture designer who is currently being recognized by the Smithsonian Institution
for his pioneering use of acrylic and lucite.
Born in Bloomington, Indiana
in 1945, Jones moved to Los Angeles, California
at the age of 16 and founded CHJ Designs. At the time, acrylic and plastic were not commonly used as a material for upscale furiture and art, but Jones, seeing its potential, began creating unique pieces for some of the city's most renowned showrooms, such as Hudson-Rissman.
His work was well-received by both art critics and Hollywood celebrities alike. Frank Sinatra
, Lucille Ball
and Johnny Carson
were among some of the first to commission Jones to design pieces for their homes. An aging Tennessee Williams
commissioned Jones to design a comfortable, yet modern writing chair. The result was the Sling Chair where the writer spent much time when at home.
In the 1970s Jones crafted his award-winning Edison Lamp. Using original Thomas Edison
light bulbs, Jones created a unique lamp with steel and lucite to show the inner workings of Edison's original technology. This won him the California Design 11 Competition and special recognition from the German
government.
His work has been featured in a number of museums, including the Norton Simon Museum
in Pasadena, California
, and the 'The Los Angeles Times' has referred to him as a "pioneer in acrylic design." Jones resides in the Burbank
area of Los Angeles
and is still designing furniture and accessories. He is active in numerous charities and often designs awards for various organizations including the sculpture for the 2008 Golden Heart Award held at the Beverly Hills Hotel
to honor Clancy Imislund for his contributions to the Midnight Mission.
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
for his pioneering use of acrylic and lucite.
Born in Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County in the southern region of the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 80,405 at the 2010 census....
in 1945, Jones moved to Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
at the age of 16 and founded CHJ Designs. At the time, acrylic and plastic were not commonly used as a material for upscale furiture and art, but Jones, seeing its potential, began creating unique pieces for some of the city's most renowned showrooms, such as Hudson-Rissman.
His work was well-received by both art critics and Hollywood celebrities alike. Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
, Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball
Lucille Désirée Ball was an American comedian, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy...
and Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson
John William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years . Carson received six Emmy Awards including the Governor Award and a 1985 Peabody Award; he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987...
were among some of the first to commission Jones to design pieces for their homes. An aging Tennessee Williams
Tennessee Williams
Thomas Lanier "Tennessee" Williams III was an American writer who worked principally as a playwright in the American theater. He also wrote short stories, novels, poetry, essays, screenplays and a volume of memoirs...
commissioned Jones to design a comfortable, yet modern writing chair. The result was the Sling Chair where the writer spent much time when at home.
In the 1970s Jones crafted his award-winning Edison Lamp. Using original Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. In addition, he created the world’s first industrial...
light bulbs, Jones created a unique lamp with steel and lucite to show the inner workings of Edison's original technology. This won him the California Design 11 Competition and special recognition from the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
government.
His work has been featured in a number of museums, including the Norton Simon Museum
Norton Simon Museum
The Norton Simon Museum is an Art Museum located in Pasadena, California, United States. It was previously known by the names: the Pasadena Art Institute and the Pasadena Art Museum.-Overview:...
in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, and the 'The Los Angeles Times' has referred to him as a "pioneer in acrylic design." Jones resides in the Burbank
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
area of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and is still designing furniture and accessories. He is active in numerous charities and often designs awards for various organizations including the sculpture for the 2008 Golden Heart Award held at the Beverly Hills Hotel
Beverly Hills Hotel
The Beverly Hills Hotel is a hotel on Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills, California. It was opened on May 12, 1912 by Margaret J. Anderson and her son, Stanley S. Anderson, who had been managing the Hollywood Hotel. The original main building of The Beverly Hills Hotel was designed by Pasadena...
to honor Clancy Imislund for his contributions to the Midnight Mission.