James McQueen is a British contemporary artist recognised for his humorous reinterpretations of vintage book covers. Informed by elements of Pop Art, street art, and graffiti, his artworks are collectable artworks that hold nostalgia and irreverence. His construct is characterised by bold typography, textural imperfections and ironic titles which reference literary history and cultural critique that result in unique methods of understanding contemporary art.
McQueen’s notoriety in the international art market is only strengthening, as both seasoned collectors and new investors seek to purchase his works. From limited editions to unique original mixed media grabs, check out selected McQueen artworks that deliver an aspect of visual wit, cultural commentary and investment opportunities.
About James McQueen
James McQueen is a pseudonymous British artist whose notoriety began with the question, ‘What if you change the frame of something that you have previously been familiar with?’ Drawing upon his design and typographic background, McQueen used the edifying Penguin paperback to repurpose it as a conceptual vehicle, remixed with a perspective that employed ironic humour, cultural satire, and social commentary. Using a pseudonym enables McQueen to avoid being led by, or reliant upon, the typical art-world identity constructed narrative; instead, he is influenced and led by cultural critique and wordplay. Resultantly, the pseudonym creates the mystique of an artist whilst also forwarding the work's critique of authorship and persona as well as the viewer's relationship to the work.
Emerging through galleries and significant visibility by virtue of his Instagram account, McQueen has established a significant fan base since he started creating and posting works online. His increased visibility online with a consistent language targeting parallel discourses (literature, art, graffiti culture, and post-modern pastiche) has helped him emerge as a significant artist compelled by alterity in all forms.
Iconic Series and Artworks
The most iconic works created by James McQueen surface through his Non-Fiction series, in which he subverts key designs of the original mid capitalist Penguin paperback but replaces the covers with bold ironic titles such as Who The F Is Banksy and If You Ever Leave Me I’m Coming With You. They uphold an aspect of nostalgia to exploit the "literature" culture, but produce irreverent commentary upon modern life, identity and relationship identity.
The Anthology series builds upon this narrative, in which the installation remains a visual pun with weathered surfaces about how the printed culture of narrative modifies and constructs collective memory. The Special Edition presents a hybrid object of both artwork and relic, which builds on the previous collections but operates on a more elaborate 'surface' to purposefully confuse the layers of lacquer, textures and composition or construction - another step further for the literal form of art and its alternate subject. These series operate collectively as critiques of contemporary communications and consumer and identity culture, using humour and pastiche to highlight an immediacy with the familiar object, and different and significant meaning.
Artistic Techniques and Themes
James McQueen's process of revealing his ideas is just as intentional as it is expressive. He lets the expression do the work, using layered acrylic, mark-making techniques, sanding, and lacquered coats to produce a realistic vintage patina that allows his work to pose as aged found ephemera, requiring closer inspection and giving the viewer layered irony in return.
Typically, large scale canvases display bold, uppercase type that is often used is not as text but as form. Language plays a central role relative to the impact each work is meant to achieve, fusing graphic design, Pop Art energy, and the urgent context of graffiti into an effective single visual message. On the other side - thematically - McQueen addresses identity, cultural memory, nostalgia, and social critique in contemporary society. These themes support all the work and prompt all the work to ask their audiences to think about how our cultural value systems get reproduced and perpetuated within everyday life, through books, branding, language and humour as both a sword and a mirror.
Art Market and Investment
From a market perspective, James McQueen is expected to build momentum quickly. His editions and originals have appeared in contemporary art fairs and have been sold through different galleries and auction houses to increasing demand. We’ve seen a consistent interest for McQueen's artwork, especially Non-Fiction and Special Editions.
For collectors and investors, McQueen is an exciting balance of accessibility and edge. His work draws on the same partly conscious collector psychology around demand for artists like Banksy or The Connor Brothers; artwork that is thought-provoking, visually iconic, culturally relevant and most importantly, fitting.
Authenticity and Provenance
All original and limited edition works by James McQueen are accompanied by certificates of authenticity that were either signed by the artist or provided by a representative gallery approved by the artist.
If you are looking to buy an artwork by James McQueen, we offer a guarantee that we have gone through extensive vetting processes, which will assist in confirming the provenance and authenticity of the artwork for you. In a marketplace that evolves quickly, please reach out if you have any questions about the history of ownership and whether your James McQueen needs a COA at support@fairart.io.