James McQueen
Non-Fiction | Winter 2023

Featured art (L-R): 'It Is What It Is' and 'No Risk, No Story' by James McQueen. Limited editions, £2,450 each, or £4,750 the pair.

No risk, no story

The new limited-edition graphics are based on the artist’s iconic titles 'It Is What It Is' and 'No Risk No Story'. The pieces convey what McQueen describes as ‘that authenticity’ of worn-out, vintage books which have been much read and loved, showing signs of wear – faded colours and tattered edges: ‘Everyone who owns it has put their little stamp on it, like a tea mark, pencil scribbles, or folded page corners,’ says McQueen.  

McQueen, who famously operates under a pseudonym, proudly admits his artistic influences, particularly Harland Miller, who originally created paintings of book covers in 2001. Elements of Damien Hirst’s 'Spot Paintings' and the work of Banksy can also be identified in this new collection, as well as themes made famous by Andy Warhol’s iconic Pop Art works of the 1960s which celebrated everyday items; McQueen boldly continues to endorse Picasso’s enduring epigram that "great artists steal".

In the Studio

James McQueen is a British artist who works between London and New York, and his technique involves layering the canvas with an abundant application of paint in many colours and shades. Once dry, he sands the work down so that a multitude of layers are visible in the finished piece. Finally, the surface is covered with lacquer to add extra richness and vibrancy.

The visible layering of paint creates a sense of depth and dynamism which, combined with the complex interaction between colour, shares affinities with the Abstract Expressionists, particularly Mark Rothko. McQueen’s painstakingly developed artistic methods includes the use of spray paint which give the pieces a contemporary feel and urban edge; his complex process elevates the book covers towards an art that is rich and expressive yet remains distinctly relatable.