Biography

James Fowkes is a contemporary realist painter whom lives and works in Twyning (near Tewkesbury), Gloucestershire.  Originally from Birmingham, the influence of urban architecture is a theme that runs throughout James’s landscape paintings.

James predominantly produces paintings of fabricated models of cityscapes, buildings or structures that fascinate him.  These models are usually crafted out of everyday materials and found objects.  James distils the often, overlooked beauty in these items through the medium of paint in the pursuit of landscape painting.

James earned a first-class honours degree at Coventry University and completed a Master’s degree at the University of Central England (now Birmingham City University).

James’s artwork has been shown in exhibitions throughout the U.K.  His work has featured in regional competitions, such as the Worcester Open, as well as national competitions, including the 2017 Jerwood Drawing Prize, which James was a finalist.  His work is held in collections including Coventry City University and the BBC Your Paintings, Public Catalogue Foundation.

James Fowkes (b. 1978 Sutton Coldfield UK) studied BA Fine Art at University of Coventry (1998-01; MA Fine Art at University of Central England – Now Birmingham City University (2003-04).

Selected Group exhibitions include:  A4, The Oddball Gallery, Online Exhibition (2021-2022); Coventry University Drawing Prize 2019, The Classroom Gallery, Coventry (2019); Jerwood Drawing Prize 2017, Jerwood House, London (2017); Little Monsters, The Showcase Gallery, Birmingham (2017); The Worcester Open, Worcester City Museum and Art Gallery, Worcester (2013); Ego, Minerva Works Gallery, Birmingham (2011)

Solo Exhibitions include:  Recent Work, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury (2018), Hard Copy 2, The Old Baptist Chapel, Tewkesbury (2017); Hard Copy, The Gardens Gallery, Cheltenham (2016)

Collections include:  Coventry City University, Coventry, UK; BBC Your Paintings, Public Catalogue Foundation; John Moore Museum, Tewkesbury