David James
Born in 1976, and living and working in Whakatū Nelson, New Zealand, David James’ art practice explores the sensitivity and control of traditional figurative drawing and painting within a contemporary visual arts context. His greatest interest is to explore the fragility and resilience of the human condition in reference to our shared histories and stories.
David holds qualifications in the visual arts majoring in painting and drawing, and a Master’s degree in Art & Design for which he achieved First-Class honours for his work in video installation. He has been a finalist in the Parkin Drawing Award 2023, and the winner of the John Richardson French Residency Award 2024.
QUALIFICATIONS
Master of Arts (Art & Design), AUT Auckland University of Technology, 2005-2007
Certificate in Adult Teaching, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, 2009
Diploma in Visual Arts (Level7), Nelson Polytechnic, 1996-1998
AWARDS
Award Winner, The John Richardson French Residency Award 2024
Finalist, The Parkin Drawing Award 2023
Cretney Award for Excellence in Education (2009)
Selected Exhibition History
Solo Shows
2024 A Spacious Place, ATELIER Studio|Gallery, Nelson New Zealand
2023 The Figure Drawings, ATELIER Studio|Gallery, Nelson New Zealand
2022 Psalm, ATELIER Studio|Gallery, Nelson New Zealand
2021 21 FACES, ATELIER Studio|Gallery, Nelson New Zealand
2019 Speculum Humanae Dei, ATELIER Studio|Gallery, Nelson New Zealand
2018 Song of all Songs, ATELIER Studio|Gallery, Nelson New Zealand
Group Shows
2024 John Richardson French Residency Finalist Exhibition, Hambly & Hambly, Northern Ireland
2023 Parkin Drawing Award Finalists Exhibition, Academy Galleries, Wellington, NZ
2020 IMAGE + TEXT, ATELIER Studio|Gallery, Nelson New Zealand
2020 Stations of the Cross, ATELIER Studio|Gallery, Nelson New Zealand
2019 Downscale, ATELIER Studio|Gallery, Nelson New Zealand
2018 Quality of Life, ATELIER Studio|Gallery, Nelson New Zealand