PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
James Hunting: born 1964: London.
After studying textiles at Goldsmiths College, graduating in 1986, James became a freelance embroiderer working with clients in Fashion, including Jasper Conran, Julian McDonald, Givenchy, Linnet Hannan and Jenny Lessin. James moved to France in 1999, changing the emphasis of his working practice away from commercial ventures and towards more personal and educative goals. James returned to Brighton in 2004 to complete a PGCE in PCET and has since taught in Further Education on Fashion and Textile Courses. James has continued his personal work throughout and was nominated Embroiderers Guild over 30 Scholar for 2006. James also creates and delivers workshops as an independent artist and undertakes commissions for private clients.
Contact James on james.hunting@btinternet.com for further information.
ARTISTS STATEMENT
Through mark- making, colour and texture each piece is representative of moments of time, either the past, present, or future. They encompass real or imaginary moments, emotions experienced, desires acknowledged, thoughts barely captured, dreams realised, yet to be realised or even destined to remain unrealised. Pieces should awaken half forgotten associations within the viewers’ memory. Certain stitches, colour combinations and images should unlock a more personal reflection on emotions and lives lived. The intention is that each viewer will move on having spent some time occupying a less concrete dimension of their daily life.
I want the viewers to also be able to enjoy the decorative quality of my work, everybody should be allowed to look, think, and move on, taking their own impressions and ideas with them.
As an embroiderer I am inspired by the pattern, colours and techniques of the ‘stan’ countries of Central Asia. I want to let myself be influenced and inspired by them, but not to the point of imitation. I am not from one of these cultures. I cannot appropriate their textile history, just allow the images I have seen invade and influence my sub-conscious soul.
The fabrics I use are chosen with care, they are fragments, collected over time, some that originate in the above countries, they are remnants from the time I spent working in the fashion industry, they are samples I produced during this time, The figures in the work are intimate, anonymous objects of desire or interest, captured in a private moment and yet self consciously aware of their physical appeal.
I do not title the works, allowing the viewer to infuse each piece with their own interpretations, although I have my names for the pieces that I am happy to share if requested. The more abstract pieces, although presented in one way, may be hung according to the owners feeling, each viewer ‘sees’ the work in their own way, bringing their memories and ideas to their viewing.