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Keownphoto.JimMcElvaney-28.jpg

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.

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