James Price - Artist - Paintings

Artist Statement

James Price is a Melbourne artist whose practice incorporates Gallery Work, Public & Community Art and Moving Image. His work has a distinct visual language that's rooted in human centered storytelling - from an almost contemporary folk art perspective. It's certainly unique to the market.

James Price is an unapologetically skilled storyteller. His artistic practice employs a distinct, vibrant graphic language that condenses the complexities and contradictions of our times. Price’s work is able to articulate intricate ideas loaded with pathos, humour and humanity. His paintings, moving image works and ceramics visually articulate modern life for those of us unsure whether we should laugh, cry, or do both at once.

Price sharpened his storytelling skills working across the world as a globally recognised commercial artist, including a decade working from his own highly successful studio in New York. He’s created work for some of the worlds most recognised Storytellers and Organisations, including: Netflix, MTV, The BBC, The Washington Post, TED, Nike, and our own ABC.

As an accomplished public artist Price has created Murals, Moving Image commissions and site specific installations, and activations, for communities across Australia. Highlights include a giant 23 metre moving image commission for Wynyard Station in Sydney through Transport NSW, large scale mural works for the Lake Macquarie and Broken Hill communities, and an animated film that reflects upon ideas of social isolation for The City of Melbourne.

Price’s recent gallery work draws a charismatic parallel between the classic historical western form, the pictorial naivety of folk art, and the idiosyncrasies of our ever evolving contemporary culture. Created for a time when our bodies are heavier, and our attention spans lighter, Price’s newest works question, clarify, illuminate and lampoon our contemporary form.

Exhibitions

• 2021    A Gay Agenda, Group Exhibition, The Old Auction House Gallery - Kyneton
• 2021   Today I Tried To Be A Trampoline, Solo Exhibition, Boom Gallery - Newport
• 2021   Locals, Group Exhibition, Outre Gallery - Melbourne
• 2020   The Sun Sat Still and Smiled, Solo Exhibition, Boom Gallery - Newport
• 2019   Big Boom, Group Exhibition , Boom Gallery - Newport

Prizes

• Winner - City Of Melbourne Arts Grant 2020
• Winner - Boroondara Grace Park Mural EOI 2020
• Winner - Lake Macquarie Awaba House Mural EOI 2019
• Finalist - Naked and Nude Art Prize 2019