James completed a BA Honors in Fine Art at Loughborough University in 2011 and currently lives and works in Norfolk, England.

Artist Statement

James’ early work predominately focused on paper collage and painting but would later move into abstract works using non traditional artists mediums like wood and charcoal. Rawson's material-driven process is deeply minimalist in appearance, resonating with enigmatic structures and ideal sculptural forms. His works recall the influence of Minimalism and the Gutai avant-garde movement. By placing emphasis on the process and act of artistic creation, rather than a stylised compositional narrative, Rawson's art is as conceptual as it is physical. At once, he removes the artist's gestural hand while simultaneanously conveying the physical, corporeal reality of the art object itself.  Grounded with the burnt embers of charcoal, there is tactile and textured nature to the artwork, where there remains a presence a human quality of the artwork, with viewers often tempted to reach out and interact with each piece directly.

His latest works see him return to his first love of painting.  In these new works Rawson unleashes a flurry of flora into geometric diagrams. Revealing kaleidoscopic shapes to be a device to reclaim the connections between abstraction and the natural world.  The artist's exploration of the still life, with flourishing curvilinear forms and abundance of lush colour, stems from the Northern Renaissance.