Jimmie James | SPARKS

NAVA Contemporary is pleased to present SPARKS, a new online exhibition of artwork by Jimmie James. Incorporating works on paper and paintings that have evolved over the past two years, the artist draws inspiration from the simple pleasures of life.

In this newest body of work, James explores the theme of joy. Incorporating works on paper and paintings that have evolved over the past two years, the artist draws inspiration from the simple pleasures of life. To borrow the phrase from Marie Kondo, instances that "spark joy." Rather than thinking about objects in one's space, James applies this idea to his own everyday moments of happiness; making coffee, sitting in his small garden and watching what he has planted, the simple pleasures that can often go unnoticed.

It is James' intention to evoke a sense of nostalgia through his artworks, for those fleeting yet cherished instances that bring a smile to one's face. Through a fusion of abstract and representational elements, he creates a visual palette that resonates with the universal yearning for happiness. Using a vibrant interplay of colors, forms, and emotions, each canvas serves as a portal into the world brimming with positivity and exuberance. The audience basks in the sheer delight of the human experience while the brushstrokes highlight the spontaneity and boundless energy contained in the works. This is never more present than in the painting dancing with others, where vaguely figurative elements create a swirl of modernist color play that all at once feels completely contemporary while also familiar.

"Ultimately this collection seeks to ignite a spark of joy within the hearts of those who engage with it" states James. "I hope to convey the depth and complexity of this profound emotion." In capturing these fleeting yet profound moments that make us feel alive, James' paintings become a testament to the beauty of existence. The artworks represent a fragment of his own happiness and invite the viewer to join James in embracing the joy that surrounds us in the world.

Jimmie James was born in Brooklyn, New York and currently lives in Berlin, Germany. He attended the Pratt Institute in New York, and his work has been shown internationally including Japan, Thailand, the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States. His work is in the private collections of the Verve Music Group, Tom Ford, and New York University, among others. He has also provided album artwork for Aqualung, Nina Simone and John Coltrane.