Our latest Artist Profile is with artist James Hale, whose artwork I just called was selected First Prize in this year’s Fifty Squared Art Prize.
James Hale is a queer artist living and working in Melbourne. He makes colourful text based paintings on cardboard. His practice is rooted in the tradition of other queer text artists Rene Ricard, David McDiarmid, Tracey Emin, and David Robilliard.
What medium(s) do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
I make oil paintings and pen drawings on cardboard. Cardboard and markers are readily available everywhere and aren’t expensive, which allows for endless experimentation, and gives me the ability to make art in virtually any place at any time. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about oil paints which I use because they’re ravishingly beautiful.
Can you elaborate a little more on your making process — how does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
I have two separate creative processes. One for writing and one for painting. Ideas for works strike at random, so I’m forever jotting things down on scraps of paper or a drawing app on my phone (paint free). Usually, I’ll make a few drawn versions before deciding on a painting. The painting process is a bit more intuitive. I have a big pile of “backgrounds” in different colours and shapes, so the colour relationships and composition of each work depend on which one I select.
Who or what are the biggest influences on your work?
My friends, conversations and fights I’ve had (both real and imagined), Artists and writers and critics, many of whom have a sensibility formed in the time before AIDS.
Collecting art and being surrounded by art and looking at works up close is always very inspiring. In fact that’s probably the most important thing.
Who would your dream collaboration be with, and why?
I’ll take whoever I can get.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
My studio in East Brunswick is small and a mess. A beautiful mess. Just cardboard and paintings drying everywhere. Several suitcases stacked up filled with over a thousand drawings. It takes some people years to achieve that look.
What does your selection as one of the winners of this Fifty Squared Art Prize mean to you, and to the future of your practice?
Winning Fifty Squared really blew me away. This prize means I’ll be able to continue painting in the studio for the foreseeable future. As silly as it sounds, after winning this prize I feel like a real artist (whatever that is).
James Hale was one of six winners in the 2020 Fifty Squared Art Prize.
View the winning artworks and comments from the Judges here.