A Q+A with James: Exploring Nature and Memory

From New Zealand to London to Mexico City, James Watkins has woven a rich tapestry of experience into their artistic practice. Their work, deeply rooted in observation and memory, captures the essence of the landscapes and moments that shape their creative journey. In this Q+A, he shares insights into his process, inspirations, and contributions to the upcoming exhibition, New Collectors.

Your international journey has greatly influenced your art. How have the places you’ve lived—New Zealand, London, Mexico City—shaped your creative practice?

Painting is always a result of synthesis, either conscious or subconscious. My practice has been more influenced by my time in Mexico and now New Zealand, as in both places I started to actively observe my surroundings and incorporate shapes and forms into my paintings, mostly via visual memory. Experiences that left a strong impression on me and could be recalled during the painting process often made their way into my works. In New Zealand, I have been even more actively engaged with my surroundings, especially the landscapes and Indigenous plant life, in an effort to honour the admiration I feel for the natural world here.

How do photography and painting intersect in your art practice?

Photography has always been a big part of my practice, as it is my primary means of documenting the external world. Often, I take a lot of photos while on walks, then bring them back to my studio and sketch anything that really interests me. These drawings end up on my studio walls so that when I am painting, I can easily glance around for ideas to explore. My background in photography has also given me different perspectives and ideas regarding the compositions of my paintings. Now, when I am out for a walk taking photos, I am already thinking about and noting the elements that will work in my paintings. The exchange between the two mediums is entirely natural. It is really just about finding ways to deepen my appreciation of what I am experiencing.

What concepts or themes are you currently exploring in your work? What can we expect from your contributions to this upcoming exhibition?

Right now, my practice is focused on New Zealand landscapes and natural forms. After being overseas for so long, I am finding it a great way to reconnect with my homeland and to share my enthusiasm for the natural beauty that is so abundant here. The broader thematic element of my work is the acknowledgment of nature more generally and how the human experience longs to align (but in the modern world often disaligns) with the rhythms and frequencies of the natural world. Through painting, I acknowledge my place in nature and seek to integrate myself more fully into it.