James R

Explore James’s work at Sharing Is Caring, a group exhibition in partnership with University College London Hospitals Arts & Heritage from 22 November - 5 February. Find out more about the exhibition at The Street Gallery of UCLH.

James has developed a highly distinct style since joining Artbox. His work is sparky, energetic, often funny, richly layered and full of movement.

His quality of line is particularly beautiful - a product of moments of heightened focus, when James thickens and repeats lines, making them into bold protagonists. His work mainly derives from copying images from magazines, rearranging the objects and words on the pages in his own uncanny way, making the mundane or ornate seem ridiculous and uncanny.

The objects depicted in his pictures come from copying images from magazines and books - publications like ‘country living’ or ‘world of interiors’. Furniture, artefacts, antiques and interiors are reflected in an uncanny and quirky way, sometimes made to look ridiculous. His quality of line is particularly beautiful - there are moments and passages in each piece where James lays his focus, thickening and repeating lines, making them bolder, more precise.

James’ sense of humour comes through the work too, often with his use of text. Single words like ‘Country’ or ‘Time’ or ‘House’ will punctuate the composition like a heading of a newspaper, sometimes matching what imagery is depicted, but at other times not, adding an element of mystery and enigma.

James has real pride in being featured in exhibitions, and he has a large number of family members that come to support him. The combination of deriving confidence and happiness from exhibiting, along with the support James receives from his family is an incredible result for Artbox. Inclusion of artists with learning differences is championed by James and his supportive family, and simultaneously James’ wellbeing and confidence grows.

Original art:

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