James Millichamp

PRINTMAKER PROFILE

ARTIST STATEMENT

I am an artist, curator and educator, working in Shropshire and the West Midlands. Born and raised in Wolverhampton, now living in Shrewsbury, I studied at The School of Art, University of Wolverhampton and The Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, City of Birmingham University. I have organised and curated multiple exhibitions across the West Midlands and have had my work shown at The New Art Gallery Walsall, the RBSA, Digbeth Art Space, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, MoMA Mach, Newcastle Museum and Art Gallery, Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery, and Fresh Art at Islington Business Design Centre, amongst others. I have participated in exhibitions at Ironbridge Fine Arts and also recently completed a Residency at The School of Art, University of Wolverhampton. I was delighted to have work on show at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery and Mrs Jones’ Art Shop & Gallery as part of the Shrewsbury Arts Trail last year, and was the winner of the Belle Vue Arts Festival x Soden competition 2023.

My work is all about process – I so enjoy exploring the nuances of techniques in print-making, alternative photography and the possibilities of paint. I take inspiration from my surroundings; when living in the conurbation of the West Midlands, I painted scenes of urban decay and now in leafy Shropshire my work is more pastoral. The current work is based on a trip to India; these are all views of Qutab Minar, the highest tower in India, and it’s surrounding structures. The tower was started in 1199 AD and the foundation was laid by Qutbu’d-Din Aibak for the use of the mu’azzin. It is now deserted. Linear elements are minimal but descriptive, almost illustrative, giving the viewer the opportunity to interpret and populate the scene. These elements balance with abstract mark-making and are hinted at in the etchings, which are ‘ghost’ prints.

James Millichamp

SELECTED PRINTS

2024-068-a

Qutab Minar i

James Millichamp

068-b

Qutab Minar ii

James Millichamp