ANN-MARIE JAMES | DANSE MACABRE

Having open on 10th December at First Floor Project in London, Anne-Marie James’ first solo show, Danse Macabre embraces the idea of restriction, both conceptually and literally, James’ series of ten drawings, ‘Limited Means’, was completed using a single blue biro, taking as its subject matter the fragility of the human form.



In deliberately setting such constraints, James finds an unexpected vocabulary of marks and the fidelity of line in the most egalitarian and modest of mediums. Referring to anatomical illustrations, from such sources as Henry Gray’s seminal volume, each drawing combines detailed and precise renderings of bones and organs in elegant and unexpected forms, both organic and geometric. The consistency of the colour, the use of symmetry and the delicacy of line evoke both traditional engravings and the aesthetic of Spode china.



Finding beauty in darkness, these grave images are at once romantic and macabre.
In addition to ‘Limited Means’ James will also present a number of works in graphite and related small sculpture.

Ann-Marie James was born in 1981 and lives and works in London. She completed her BA (Hons) in Fine Art at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in 2004 and has since gone on to exhibit in France, Germany, Venezuela, Portugal and the United States. In 2006 she undertook a residency and solo exhibition with Lantana Projects in Memphis, Tennessee, and has most recently exhibited in the Westminster Open 2009 and at The Mews Project Space, London.


This is the second exhibition of First Floor Projects. From his London home, James Tregaskes heralds a return to the salon, presenting and dealing art in a residential space.

The show runs until 30 January 2010. www.firstfloorprojects.com

All images (c) Ann-Marie James