Mark James has had a creative personality since his childhood, but his approach to art and design has always been forward-thinking
A towering black installation smack-bang in Cardiff’s Central Square has been at the forefront of commuters’ routes and minds. Creator Mark James hopes his latest called Under Neon Loneliness creates a “different perspective” of what art can be.
The shipping container that seemingly popped up overnight for the Cardiff Music City Festival was the latest creation from 55-year-old James, a Cardiff-raised artist whose inspirations are rooted in rebellious music.
An early-age creative
“Since a very early age, I was always creative, and I was making things, and my parents encouraged it” James states, with his portfolio weaving between graphic design, illustration, animation and now audio editing in his latest instalment.
His work has seen him collaborating with the likes of Queen, Super Furry Animals, and Amy Winehouse.
“I was about nine or ten at the time, and the [Sex] Pistols had released The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle, which was full of bright animation”, he adds, “it was just madness.”
“I’m not an old punk or anything like that. It’s just the influence, the attitude; it allowed me to cut up magazines and make images” James adds.
Between day jobs, he began his career working with bands and designing record sleeves, inspired by the attitude of punk music. With no formal training, James approaches every project self-taught.
Listen to self-taught artist Mark James’ advice on how to learn a new skill
Current work
James’ latest creation takes inspiration from the Manic Street Preachers’ song Motorcycle Emptiness, where the immersive experience visually presents Japanese streetlights to people within a soundscape of buzzing neon and gentle rainfall. The light installation is intimately confined within a shipping container, encouraging people to pause and consider their surroundings.
“I’ve got a thing about shipping containers. I just think they’re beautiful objects”, he beams.
Fuelled by James’ own sleepless nights wandering through Tokyo, he hoped that the free installation would fuse awe and loneliness, making people feel transported in a state of wonder.
“It gives people a different perspective, because people wouldn’t go to a gallery,” James remarks, “some people think it’s quite snobby, or it’s not for them.”
There’s no problem in looking back, as long as you do it with fresh eyes
When not planning his next project, James can be found cooking for his wife and two children, which is how he enjoys relaxing at the end of each day, although he confides “I can’t sit still.”
“Gruff Rhys once called me an ace or two” James shares proudly about his reputation as a jack of all trades.
“I don’t know if it was a compliment or not, but I loved it. I put it on a business card” he added.
Throughout his over two-decade career, James’ greatest lesson learnt has been knowing when to walk away from projects.
James admits: “I’m not a control freak, but I probably am.”
“I’m not getting older and thinking I can’t do this anymore” James reflects, where his creative attitude has kept him constantly inspired. In the future James hopes of expanding his work into fashion and restaurant designing.
“There’s no problem in looking back, as long as you do it with fresh eyes” he considers “try something different, be different.”
Three artists you need to explore, according to Mark James
Jamie Reid – Graphic artist and punk protester, noted for his sleeve design of the Sex Pistols’ God Save The Queen album
Barney Bubbles – 1970s graphic designer who combined punk and new-wave inspirations into his album artwork
Malcolm McLaren – Fashion designer, promoter and band manager who made the likes of Adam and the Ants and the Sex Pistols famous