Jamie Tanner

Type tray wall art

GalleryLatest work: No 21

I'm Jamie Tanner, and I turn vintage printers' type trays into one-off, numbered wall art, in-filled with hand cut and laser cut gloss perspex. Pieces still for sale are in the gallery with UK shipping; to ask about one, call or WhatsApp 07789 648067 or email jamie@jamietanner.co.uk.

About

Jamie Tanner holding a glass of wine beside his smiley, BOOM! and ZAP! trays on a white gallery wall, with the tag #bricklanegallery

About me

As a book cover designer for over 25 years, I wanted to let my creative side out, not be confined by a brief, and do what I enjoy: tray art. I use vintage printers' type trays and transform them into unique pieces of art.

Each is a very individual statement and retains the beauty of the original tray, with the wear, marks and blemishes from its historical use. No two are the same for that reason. I in-fill them with hand cut and laser cut gloss perspex, to marry the old and established with the new, clean and modern.

Each tray has an individual look of its own, and they are interesting, eye-catching pieces, reminiscent of a stained glass window. They are hand branded and numbered with the JET mark. None of the abstract pieces are titled, as everybody has their own opinions and feelings on what they should be called, so they are numbered.

How I make a tray

Hands fitting cut pieces of coloured perspex into the compartments of a wooden type tray on a cutting mat

Before I can start to cut the perspex, I like to map out a rough design to make sure the colours work together. I then measure every hole. Next, I cut every piece of perspex by hand.

Once they are all stuck, it's time to see what it really looks like, with the vibrant colours against the vintage wood, as I peel the protective film off the perspex.

Three close-ups: the JET mark heat branded into the wood, the number 16 stamped on the frame, and a card with an embossed JET Authentic Original seal and the number 16

Then they are heat branded, numbered, dated and signed.

No 17 hung upright on a brick pillar between two tall windows, above a green sofa and glass-topped pallet tables

The finished tray looks eye-catching in every space.

No 17, hung upright.

On the wall

Most pieces can be hung horizontally or vertically, on their own, as a pair or as a set.

Three upright trays hung in a row on a white brick wall above a black leather Chesterfield sofa: a yellow smiley face on purple, a red star on yellow, and a blue, white and red roundel on cream
The smiley (No 15), the star (No 16) and the roundel (No 7) hung as a set of three
No 21 and No 12 hung side by side on a whitewashed brick wall above an orange velvet corner sofa, with a white dog lying on a rug
No 21 and No 12 hung as a pair
No 26 and No 27 standing upright side by side on a mantelpiece above a cast-iron fireplace with candles in the grate
No 26 and No 27 side by side
No 41 standing upright on a mantelpiece between a seated Buddha figure and a Buddha head, above a cast-iron fireplace
No 41 standing upright
No 33 standing lengthways on a mantelpiece above a cast-iron fireplace with candles in the grate
No 33 on the mantelpiece
No 27 leaning upright on a mantelpiece beside a seated Buddha figure
No 27 upright
No 41 leaning on a mantelpiece beside Buddha figures, seen from one side
No 41 from the side

Questions

Common questions

Will the colour I see online be true?

It may not be exact. Due to differences in monitor settings, I can't guarantee the colours you see on screen will be exactly the same in person.

Do you take commissions?

Yes, I take commissions, as you may want a colour combination that isn't available at the moment. Just get in contact with me and I can show you a variety of blank trays, then we'll go from there. The cost will be slightly higher, as more time will be needed.

Can the trays be hung horizontally or vertically?

Most of them can. Each piece's description in the gallery says whether it can be hung horizontally or vertically, and some can also be hung as a pair.

What are the trays made from?

Each piece is a vintage printers' type tray, in-filled with hand cut and laser cut gloss perspex. They're heat branded with the JET mark, numbered, dated and signed.

How much is UK shipping for wall art?

UK shipping is £15.00 for a piece of wall art. The shipping price is for the UK only; I'd need to discuss the price for shipping to other countries.

Can I buy two pieces as a pair?

Yes. Pieces that can be hung as a pair show a pair price in the gallery: No 21 and No 12, for example, are £900.00 for the two. Email me at jamie@jamietanner.co.uk to buy a pair.

All common questions

Questions about a piece or a Memory Tray?

Call or WhatsApp 07789 648067, or email jamie@jamietanner.co.uk.

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