Surreal Acrylic Paintings & Illustrations by Jon Berkeley
Published Nov 3, 2025
Irish illustrator and author Jon Berkeley has built a remarkable career turning complex ideas into unforgettable imagery. Currently based in Barcelona after creative stints in Hong Kong, Sydney and London, Jon is known for his sharp wit, painterly touch and surreal compositions that merge the absurd with the insightful.
Over the years, he’s created over 150 covers for The Economist and hundreds more for publications like Newsweek, Foreign Affairs and The New Statesman. His paintings often balance vibrant color with biting commentary, whether depicting geopolitical tensions through mythic creatures and caricatures or exploring technology, art and identity through dreamlike symbolism.
Beyond editorial work, Jon’s illustrations have graced major campaigns for Vodafone, Smirnoff and Ted Baker, and he’s also an accomplished children’s author, known for The Wednesday Tales trilogy and The Hidden Boy.
You can explore more of Jon Berkeley’s paintings and illustrations on his website, Behance and Instagram.
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