Born in 1980, James grew up in Dublin, leaving for Cork to attend Crawford College of Art and Design when he was 19. In 2010, James graduated from a Master’s degree course in Aesthetics and the History of Art. Since leaving art school, he has worked solely in stone, mainly limestone and marble, exhibiting regularly both in Ireland and internationally.
Currently based in County Waterford, South East Ireland, sculpture has become the main focus of James’ artistic life, even though it hasn’t always been his primary source of income. Like many artists, he has taken on various jobs over the years to support his passion for sculpture. From an early age, James was encouraged to pursue art, even if he wasn’t sure how talented he was at the time. Drawing, coloring, and making things were his favorite activities, and his parents’ philosophy of “go and be happy” gave him the freedom to explore his creativity. Art school naturally became the next step in his journey, where James began to shape his path as a professional artist.
James’ interest in figurative art initially led him to work with clay and bronze, where he aspired to create realistic figures like Auguste Rodin. However, it wasn’t long before he discovered the stone-carving area at art school, which completely captivated him. He became immersed in the process of carving and found inspiration in the works of stone sculptors such as Eric Gill, Jacob Epstein, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, and Henri Gaudier-Brzeska. These artists have continued to influence his practice, especially in terms of form and style.
While his sculptures often take inspiration from everyday life, the process of creating them is deeply organic and spontaneous. Life’s experiences and encounters subconsciously shape his work, and ideas evolve over time. James draws inspiration from a wide variety of sources, from a mother cradling a child to the chaotic scenes of street fights. Themes like war and conflict have also preoccupied his mind, especially after reading works like Shake Hands With the Devil by Roméo Dallaire and Whistleblower, Soldier, Spy by Tom Clonan. These books highlighted the horrors of war, which led to an exhibition in 2015 that continues to influence his work.
James’ approach to sculpture is both expressive and figurative, often exaggerating proportions—such as enlarging hands and feet - as a way to focus attention or add weight to specific parts of a composition. He is fascinated by negative space and uses it to help the sculpture “inhabit” the space rather than dominate it. James likes to think of his sculptures as sketches in marble, aiming for potential energy and avoiding excessive refinement. His pieces are never over-polished; they often maintain a raw or unfinished quality that speaks to the organic process of their creation.
Direct carving, the method James primarily uses, allows for a natural evolution of ideas throughout the process. He works primarily with marble and Irish limestone, which are versatile enough for both fine detailing and outdoor display. While he uses a variety of tools, from air hammers to delicate chisels, James focuses on letting the material and form guide his work.
The Icarus legend has inspired several of James’ sculptures, with the most recent piece, “Icarus,” completed in 2018. Carved from Irish limestone, the work explores weightlessness and movement, playing with different textures and finishes within the stone. This piece, like many of his works, embodies a careful balance between aesthetics and expressive intent.
In addition to his own work, James curates and organizes sculpture exhibitions, aiming to promote 3D art in Ireland. These exhibitions have allowed him to collaborate with artists who inspired him early in his career and to foster connections with new and established sculptors alike. His involvement in these exhibitions is not just about showcasing art, but also about building a community of artists united by a passion for stone carving.
As an artist, James is always seeking to learn, adapt, and explore new ideas. Whether working on large commissions, curating exhibitions, or creating smaller pieces, he strives to maintain honesty and integrity in his work. At the core of everything he does is a deep love for the process and the material, which continuously drives him forward in his artistic journey.
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