James Wells: Refracted Horizons

About

James Wells’ views and thoughts have been shaped by having to live with a life threating illness. This often leaves the artist to question "why", inspiring him stop, observe and explore life around him in the urban and social landscapes.

James’ work consists of photography and painting. He uses both film and digital cameras, yet prefers to use the more old-style film. He feels not only is the texture, finished quality and feel of the exposure film remarkably different; it is the concentration and the focus needed due to a limited number of shots to take that drives his use of the more traditional photographic method. James wanders the streets with his camera capturing the everyday, life and events that catch his eye.

Also using the expressive medium of painting, James uses oils primarily and recently has been mixing acrylic with the oil paint. James’ underlying subject matter consists of social issues and problems, which he subtly depicts using what James refers to as ‘a modern abstract form’. Ideas flow in an organic way to the artist, or a certain event will trigger a thought process and grab his attention.

Much of James' work documents and deals with urban decay and social issues, incorporating a free expressive motion through to a modern abstract form, as well as observing portraying urban, scenic and social landscapes through art. James is currently working on a new project where he aims to depict and tackle human emotions.