Photo credit: Liam Keown
Solo Shows
Do you do landscapes?, Ginger Works, Leeds, 2023
A Moment's Peace, Artcade Gallery, Sheffield, 2020
Another Title, 162 Dev Street, Sheffield, 2017
White Teeth, No Walls Gallery, Brighton, 2015
If It Doesn't Make Sense, That's Fine, No Walls Gallery, Brighton, 2013
Stop Looking at the Walls, Look out the Window, No Walls Gallery, Brighton, 2011
Plans Create Problems,The Outsiders Gallery - Lazarides, Newcastle, 2011
Selected Group Shows
The Modest Magnificent, WellHung Gallery, London, 2022
The Harley Open 2020
Over the Influence, Sidney and Matilda Gallery, Sheffield 2019
Delphian Gallery Open Call 2019, Printspace, Hoxton, London 2019
Just Human, WellHung Gallery, Hoxton, London, 2018
Out of Line, WellHung Gallery, Hoxton, London, 2016
Art for Peace, Hoxton Gallery, London, 2014
Group Show, Dynamite Gallery, Brighton, 2014
The Most Beautiful Silence Never Heard , Site specific installation, joint project with I-Lib, Brighton, 2013
Young Designers Guild, Artist Residence - Brighton, 2012
Mind the Gap 2 - 2012
IDM Gallery - Busan, South Korea
Lotte Gallery - Jamsil, South Korea
Lotte Gallery - Joongdong, South Korea
Invasion, 4th Moscow Biennale - Moscow, 2011
Mind the Gap, Lotte Gallery in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, Korea, 2011
Inside Out and Vice Versa, West Bank Gallery, London, 2011
Huntenkunst Art Fair, The Netherlands, 2011
Cypher ,The Village Underground, London, 2011
CharityArt , AM Gallery, Brighton, 2011
Making Bread , The Basement, Brighton, 2011
100 Artists for World Aids Day , Phoenix Gallery, Brighton, 2011
'You don't see that everyday', Red Gate Gallery, Brixton, London, 2011
Worcester Open, Worcester PITT Studios, Worcester, 2010
Nottingham Castle Annual Open, Nottingham Castle, Nottingham, 2010
Awards
Robinson's Design Painting Prize, Nottingham Castle Annual Open, Nottingham, 2010
Jim McElvaney is a Sheffield based portrait artist. Predominately working in paint, ink and pencil, Jim is fascinated with the way we look at people, and the stories we create when watching strangers. His work aims to capture both the anonymity and familiarity of the faces we usually only ever glimpse at. With an eye for those who are usually unseen, Jim harnesses elements of street photography to produce modern portraits of the people we miss when we're too busy looking at our phones.
As far as technique goes, Jim is a true mark-maker and his work follows an instinctual line. His experience of painting on the street keeps his technique fast and loose, whilst his fine art background battles for order and accuracy. In his paintings this juxtoposition is evident, as well-drafted features disappear into clouds of tone and colour, and arcing lines carry the eye beyond their natural end point. Small details are brought to the forefront and a subdued palate and surface textures create coarse expressions that look worn and well-lived in.
Jim's work hints to the life behind the face, of the person we never even noticed, sitting right in front of us.