James McQueen
Short Stories | 2024

Connection and reflection

A student of the human condition, people are at the core of McQueen’s work. Fascinated by his grandfather’s book collection as a child, he has long taken inspiration from those around him, saying, “What's art all about if it doesn't evoke an emotion or a reaction of some kind?”

Creating sardonic, subversive titles and epigrams with a take on modern life, McQueen speaks a universal language that transcends time and generations, borders and culture.

As an anonymous artist concealing his own identity, McQueen creates a similar sense of privacy between the viewer and his art. Allowing them to reminisce and reflect on their own character.

The nostalgia of his trademark vintage paperback offers an innocent warmth and comfort. Whilst the worn layers of rich colour, proud text and contemporary iconography that sit atop speak to authentic, lived experiences.

Layers of life

For McQueen, it was always imperative to produce a book that looked like it had been loved, which meant many hours painstakingly perfecting the technique to create his signature well-worn style.

Influenced by abstract impressionist, Mark Rothko, who famously built up his arrangements through several layers of work, McQueen applies layers of paint before sanding them down to create amazing patina and a coarse aesthetic, finished with lacquer to add extra richness and vibrancy. “Sometimes you can get the colours right after just three or four layers, but I try to push the sanding as far as I can, to the point where I have actually torn through canvasses”, he says.

From his complex application of paint to his emblematic ‘monkey’ insignia, pop and street art hallmarks can be seen throughout his work. And McQueen shares a kinship with iconic artists of these movements; he’s not afraid to push the boundaries of what people expect of art.