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Ann-Marie James
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​© Ann-Marie James over Marshal
“Precise drawing intersects with splashes of ink and gestural painterly marks to form a metamorphosis of ‘The Metamorphoses.”
– Ann-Marie James

metamorphoses

mutation of source material

layers of drawing

abstracting and retaining

new reading

imaginary museum

ancient Greek and Roman myth

repetition of figurative elements

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Ann-Marie James work is complex and intentional. She works with already culturally defined, appropriated source materials, and develops and mutates them. Applying repetitive layers of drawing, print and paint she produces abstract compositions whilst retaining a memory of their source.

She explores the idea of change and connection as her two main themes. The change as metamorphoses from one thing into another sparks a cultural conversation that stretches right back to antiquity, and to ancient Greek and Roman myth in particular. She initiates a dialogue with art history via the use of found imagery and texts and develops her own response to their themes and origins. (DrawingRoom, 2021; Jealous, 2021)

​© Print by Ann-Marie James (made for JealousGallery)

"The print that I have produced began with the repetition of a single pencil drawing from a series that I made based upon Bernini’s sculpture ‘Apollo and Daphne’. Through layer upon layer of print, drawing, paint and medium, the repetition of figurative elements gives way to a complex abstract composition. Precise drawing intersects with splashes of ink and gestural painterly marks to form a metamorphosis of ‘The Metamorphoses’."
(James in Jealous, 2021)

'Classical Greece, Plate 22: Marshal', 2017, ink on paper, 37 x 29.5 cm

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The following caption was transcribed from the book in which the original image was found: Marshal, Northern frieze: XII, Eastern frieze: VI

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“The two figures illustrated in this and the following plate graphically illustrate the variety and individuality of technique within the frieze. The first (opposite), virile and lean, directs the chariots energetically; his mantle has fallen to his waist, exposing rippling shoulder muscles. The second, probably a marshal, too, is less active: his physique is also strong and vigorous, but his attitude is solemn and compelling. His mantle is carefully draped over his left shoulder and arm, and though the face is damaged, the clear-cut lips and sharp chin reveal a proud and masterful personality."

Images from MUSÉE IMAGINAIRE

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1) Plate 180; 2) Plate 589; and 3) Plate 660 All 2013, 22.3 x 17.7cm sheets.
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"Andre Malraux's book really draws attention to the idea of editing as a creative act, and as editing is so intrinsic to my practice, I found his book fascinating. His imaginary museum became my own imaginary museum, and with each of the pages that I drew and painted on directly, I took an artefact with an established cultural reading, and whilst operating within its existing aesthetic, I made space for a new reading" – Ann-Marie James

​Additional works by Ann-Marie James
Key Takeaways

James work is relevant to me because she uses different techniques of cutting, collaging and painting over references to create a metamorphoses and mutation of source material the sculpture. Her different layers could help me to decide further which elements to abstract and which to retain in my creative process of glitching the body. It very inspiring to see how she uses different kinds of movement to reshape the given content.

References

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DrawingRoom (2021) Ann-Marie James. Available at: https://drawingroom.org.uk/directory/artists/ann-marie-james (Accessed: 17.05.22)

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Instagram of Ann-Marie James. Available at: https://www.instagram.com/a_n_n_m_a_r_i_e_j_a_m_e_s/ (Accessed: 17.05.22)

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JealousGallery (2021) Ann-Marie James. Available at: https://jealousgallery.com/collections/ann-marie-james (Accessed: 17.05.22)

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