ABOUT MY ARTISTS
MARK JAMES
MARK JAMES
MARK JAMES
‘I take photographs of architectural, organic, and figurative subjects that intrigue me. I transpose the images into new shapes and designs - often very different from the original. I use colour and gesture to embellish and develop those forms. The process is intuitive and dynamic - A playful conjuring of space, colour & light, that I hope will bring pleasure, a sense of joy, and excitement - An inspirational vision of the world around us.’
Mark studied Fine Art at Goldsmiths College London - birthplace of the famed ‘YBA’S’ - Artists like Damien Hirst and Sarah Lucas. Mark went on to study for his master’s in film and television at the Royal College of Art. He worked as a studio assistant to artist Sir Michael Craig-Martin for several years prior to making a number of critically acclaimed films on the arts including “FREEZE” for the BBC: The first TV documentary about Damien Hirst’s revolutionary exhibition that transformed the British art world. Further film subjects included Carl Andre, Richard Hamilton, Picasso & Matisse, Van Gogh, as well as celebrated figures from the worlds of dance, architecture, and music. Enriched by working with such a wide range of inspiring, high profile artistic personalities and their work, Mark felt compelled to return to his first passion. He now divides his time between filmmaking and painting.
Colourful and playful, Mark’s paintings are intelligently structured to create juxtapositions of shape, space and colour. They evoke a mid-century aesthetic of modernism; a kind of future set in the past. Inspiring, positive and optimistic, the paintings are created to, and often named after, the sounds and songs of the jazz - swing era. Uplifting and joyful, the paintings were described by art critic of the Sunday Times Waldemar Januszczak as “Pop Suprematism”. A number of Mark’s paintings form part of the esteemed Groucho Club art collection that has been at the centre of London’s art world since the birth of the ‘YBA’S’ (Young British Artists).
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS
2023
Light in colour, group show, curated by Rulfi Art Gallery, Tabernacle w11, London, UK
2020
Winter Group Show, Linden Hall Studio, Deal Kent.
2019
Winter Group Show, Linden Hall Studio, Deal Kent.
2018
'September Song', donated to Art 4 Grenfell auction in support of survivors, London, UK
Kindred Studios, open doors weekend, London, UK
Solo show, Acqua 7, Dalston, London, UK
2016
Solo show, SPACE @ 50 gallery, Mayfair. London, UK
Group show, Sensei over Bowery, 208 bowery, New York, USA
2015
Group show, Mavericks Expo, Oxo Bargehouse, London, UK
SAN KARA
MARK JAMES
MARK JAMES
Of colour, of line, of passion, of meaning, of love. That is how San Kara describes his work. To connect visually with uncompromising colours of harmony and conflict, bound together with comic strip lines acting as barriers against chaos.
His easel is the computer. While respecting the traditions of oils and acrylics he explores the new, scanning line drawings from his well used notepads to drawing directly on his tablet. The mouse is just another HB pencil.
The foundations of Kara’s digital work is built of the earth. His pallet is based on enhanced mineral colours and the limited edition of five prints parallels the five earth elements. Embracing digital printing as a legitimate method of applying colour and using aluminium as a canvas, Kara tasks to realise his vision.
After graduating from Central St Martins, San Kara pursued a career in design, working as a creative for Saatchi & Saatchi before building his own design agency. Now, having turned to colour, line and passion he has found the meaning of love.
The artworks of SAN KARA have been shown at SOHO HOUSE MEMBERS CLUB, at Milan Art UNFair , Montecarlo Art Fair and Paris Art Fair. Contemporary Art
Exhibitions
March 2023
Milano Unfair,
Milan, Italy
(UN) Art Fair, curated by Van Gogh Art Gallery
March 2023
Light in Colour
Tabernacle, London, UK
Group Exhibition, curated by Rulfi Art Gallery
May 2023
No Pressure Then ...
White City House, London, UK
Solo Exhibition curated by Rulfi Art Gallery
August 2023
art3f Monaco,
Chapiteau de Fontvieille, Monaco
International contemporary art fair, curated by Van Gogh Art Gallery
September 2023
art3f Paris,
Port de Versailles, Paris, France
International contemporary art fair, curated by Van Gogh Art Gallery
February 2024
Energy of Colour
Van Gogh Art Gallery,
Madrid, Spain
Solo Exhibition, curated by Van Gogh Art Gallery
April 2024
art3f Barcelona,
Fira de Barcelona Montjuic, Barcelona, Spain
International contemporary art fair, curated by Van Gogh Art Gallery
EXHIBITIONS
EXHIBITIONS
