Born in Oxford in 1984, James Watkins embarked on a journey that would take him across continents, shaping his artistic voice along the way. At a young age, he moved to Auckland, where his passion for photography and writing ignited. His formative years were spent immersed in the rugged beauty of Golden Bay and Great Barrier Island—rural landscapes that deeply influenced his creative vision. It was here that he won first prize at the Golden Bay Art Awards and hosted his first solo photographic exhibition.

In 2010, James relocated to Australia, spending five years between Melbourne and Sydney, where he became deeply embedded in the contemporary art scene. Working as an editor-in-chief, writer, and photographer, he honed his craft in arts journalism, leading to the development of his own mixed media practice. His work, rooted in self-exploration, abstraction, and experimental mark making began to take shape.

His artistic journey then led him across the globe, from Oxfordshire and Istanbul to a transformative year in Paris. There, he expanded his visual art practice into the streets, merging photography and painting in new and unexpected ways. Back in London, he held his debut solo painting exhibition, Somewhere Between at Three Colt Gallery (2019), followed by Jewels for Everyone at Nam House Gallery in Hackney.

In 2021, James moved to Mexico City, where he continued painting while working as an arts writer, consultant, and photographer. He co-founded and co-directed Casa Astrónoma, a contemporary art space, where he held his third solo exhibition, Future Paradise—a vivid exploration of Mexico’s colours, natural forms, and history.

In 2024, James returned to New Zealand, where he now resides, continuing to explore the intersection of nature, abstraction, and personal narrative through painting and photography.