Biography
Christopher H U James currently works with ceramic, paint, ink and wood. A self taught artist inspired by an Italian Residency in Farindola in 2015. Winner of a contemporary plein air award 2023 and finalist of the Water Colour National call out at the Mall Gallery in 2022. Creates experimental spontaneous dynamic sketches using a wide range of mediums applied with hand made tools. 2023 and 2024 ceramic pieces and oil paintings were accepted into the South West Academy Show at Sidmouth. An advocate of environmental action through high quality public art seeking public spaces where art and adaptation can make a difference, examples include the conversion of a stone bus shelter into a library with an allotment mural, the creation of a small sculpture zone next to Stroud Brewery and a mural covered shed for the Cheltenham Science Festival celebrating the science of growing food 2025 (commission for Gloucester Heritage Centre). Current focused projects include woodland, park life and urbanisation. Born 1.1.1961 in Carmarthen father was a travelling salesman living in Tenby, Llanelli, Swansea, Gower before moving to live near Windsor where the greatest inspiration came from art teacher Cliff King. With a grandmother as a local artist in Llandeilo Chris was able to paint with oils from an early age. In 1979 painted a large mural featuring on the BBC Nationwide programme. Currently showing work at the Five Valleys Art Gallery, Stroud, The Crown Inn, Frampton Mansell with occasional use of The Sixteen Gallery Cheltenham and Three Stories Nailsworth.
Roles
Established the new Five Valleys Art gallery Stroud 2026, administrator for UK plein air artists Face Book, Stroud outdoor painters, Woodruffs Cafe art, The Cotswold, Gower and Cader Idris annual paint outs.
Exhibitions and Events
2026 November Threes Stories Gallery, Nailsworth.
2026 August Park Life 5 paintings in Museum in the Park Stroud.
2026 August Cowbridge Open 4 pictures presented and accepted.
2026 February 2026. Five Valleys Art Gallery, Five Valleys Shopping Precinct , Stroud. Permanent gallery.
2025 Sixteen Gallery Small group show. Cheltenham November 27 to Dec 3.
2025 Sixteen Gallery Cheltenham July
2025 Cirencester Museum July
2025 Abstract exhibition Stroud
2024 100 artist exhibition Stroud.
2024 Member of the UK republican institute of oil painters.
2023 Ceramic entry "blue shed" accepted into the South West Academy Show. October.
2023 Ceramics show Stroud College June, Stroud.
2023 March. Spring Gallery Exhibition Cheltenham
2023 Article published in Steel Jackdaw Art and Culture Magazine
2022 Invited to sketch Adam Horowitz poetry to Jazz performance part of the Stroud Arts Festival.
2022 Participation in the selective Connections exhibition
2022 Winner of the Plein Air Contemporary Award, Cheltenham.
2022 Partnership with Woodruffs Cafe initiated.
2022 Vase and Painting successfully entered into the South West Academy summer show in Sidmouth.
2021 Art in the Park, Cheltenham.
2021 Completed the conversion of Eastcombe Bus shelter, Mural and library.
2020 Enigmatics Exhibition Sub Rooms Stroud.
2020 Completed wood chiselling course, Hawkwood, Stroud.
2015 Farindola artist in residency, Italy.