It’s a fact – a new instalment of James McQueen’s Non-Fiction is now available

Provocative and private artist James McQueen’s hugely popular Non-Fiction collection is back with its third instalment, featuring two limited-edition mixed media artworks recreating the nostalgia of vintage paperback books but with the addition of Pop Art and graffiti-influenced elements with the addition of edgy slogans.

Utterly contemporary, but with a deeply nostalgic feel, James’ pieces have previously sold out fast, although some of these hugely collectable works may still be available via one of our Fine Art Consultants. To secure yours before they sell out, see James' new work below.

Everybody Lies

James McQueen

Featured art (left to right): 'You Snooze You Lose' and ' Give Me Solutions Not Fucking Problems' by James McQueen, £1,750 each.

The man behind the mystery

McQueen operates behind a pseudonym, preferring his work to take centre stage. “Keeping behind the mask enables me to enjoy the creative process without being concerned about praise or recognition. I enjoy what I do and don’t want that to change or to be changed through judgement. I want my art to speak for itself,” he says.

He’s allowed a monkey in a top hat to be the star of his work because he wanted a mischievous character that he could identify with, and which would ally with his witty, provocative slogans. ‘’I can see a lot of the monkey in myself. I wear hats all the time; I’ve got about 10 in the studio and probably 20 at home. I always wear a hat, even when I paint, so of course the monkey naturally had to be wearing a hat. I am very vintage and like to surround myself with eclectic artefacts and collections. My house is like a sort of circus. For me, the monkey just adds a contemporary edge to something classic”.

A student of the human condition James takes inspiration from the people around him. Creating sardonic and subversive titles and epigrams with a take on contemporary life, James takes inspiration from his life experience, people he has spent time with and the way that people look at life. “When people see my work, I want to create a reaction. What’s art all about if it doesn’t create an emotion of some kind?”.

Making the work

With a creative background in photography and woodwork and living in both London and New York for the past three decades, James McQueen is also a book collector, fascinated by the patina of age on vintage paperbacks, so is interested in creating the perfect look and condition of the finished piece – a book that looks like it has been loved.

“It’s too easy to do something clean. It’s too easy to do something with straight lines. It’s much harder to make something look old and tired”. He uses several layers of paint, which are then sanded down and finished with lacquer. “I wanted it to feel like you could literally take it off a shelf and it could be a book from 1974 or even 1945,” explains James. ‘’When you can take something that's so amazingly small and transform it into a large-scale piece of art is just amazing".

Featured Artist

From the blog

Dan Lane - 'Heavy is the Head That Wears the Crown'

04/07/2023

Dan Lane returns with two new limited edition artworks in his signature style - skulls mixed with thought-provoking elements - plus a bronze version of one of his most popular sculptures, 'When All is Equal'.

James McQueen - Anthology

14/09/2023

James McQueen returns with a new take on his literary-themed collection, which is sure to sell fast, so make sure you secure your piece.

New collection of Marvel Superhero comic book covers hand-signed by the late great John Romita Sr.

21/09/2023

We’re delighted to present a commemorative collection of unique graphics of iconic comic book covers hand signed by Marvel creator John Romita Sr.

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