James Lumsden

Holly Johnson Gallery is pleased to present James Lumsden: STRATA, an exhibition representing a recent ensemble of paintings by the Scottish artist. This is the artist’s second solo exhibition with the gallery, following the solo debut Reflexion (2018) and the group show Manmade (2016).  An opening reception will be held Saturday, April 1, from 5 - 8 pm. James Lumsden: STRATA will continue through June 17.

Working between studios in Edinburgh and Point on the Isle of Lewis, James Lumsden is fascinated by light and movement. Although essentially abstract, the most recent works suggest a sense of landscape and place which has developed from living on the island.

Lumsden’s work is primarily concerned with process – a building up of translucent glazes until an illusion of light and depth are achieved. Using a historical glazing process, yet utilizing modern acrylic paint and mediums, the process involves the application of multiple thin glazes of acrylic paint and gloss medium. Each layer is dragged, pulled or manipulated with various implements – the process being repeated layer upon layer until the painting begins to emerge. Arrived at by both chance and deliberation, the final painting reveals varying chromatic strata, which can be seen through the translucence and depth of the work.

Lumsden adds, “My aim is to create something positive and affirming which is filled with both lightness and dark - paintings which allow the viewer’s imagination to search, wander or react at will… Recently my work has seen the development of a cooler northern palette and the use of interference and opalescent pigments, reflecting the shifting iridescent light seen from the Lewis studio. Yet more vibrant color possibilities are also explored within new work from the ongoing Resonance series, paintings which draw more upon a tradition of monochrome and reductive painting and relate to concerns in my work over the past two decades… My paintings are concerned with looking at and analyzing what is presented, both aesthetically and metaphorically. I hope the viewer will be seduced by the work, inquire into some sense of its making, look beneath the surface and question how it has been achieved.”

James Lumsden was born in Inverness, Scotland (1964). A professional member of the Society of Scottish Artists, he has received several awards, and undertaken various residencies including The Banff Art Centre in Canada, and The Ballinglen Arts Foundation in Ireland. Recent solo exhibitions include Sarah Myerscough Gallery, London; Paul Kuhn Gallery, Calgary, Canada; MAC, Birmingham; An Tuireann, Isle of Skye; Triskel Arts Centre, Cork, Ireland; and Aalborg Trienalle, Denmark. He currently lives and works between Edinburgh and Point on The Isle of Lewis.

Holly Johnson Gallery in the Design District is located at 1845 East Levee Street; Suite #100 in Dallas, TX 75207. Gallery hours are 11 to 5, Tuesday through Saturday. The gallery is a founding member of CADD - Contemporary Art Dealers of Dallas. For more information email info@hollyjohnsongallery.com, or visit www.hollyjohnsongallery.com.

THE GALLERY WILL BE CLOSED APRIL 28 - MAY 6