James Jessop studied Fine Art at Coventry University graduating in 1995 and went on to study at The Royal College of Art in 1997. He established his studio in East London where he works to this day. Jessop has exhibited in major cities such as New York, Sao Paulo, Copenhagen and Turin. 2004 saw James’ first UK museum show; New Blood at the Saatchi Gallery alongside the likes of Tal R, Daniel Richter & Jonathan Meese.
In 07 Jessop also took on a large studio in a former Baptist church in Sweden where he produced many huge paintings for his solo Shows at Thomas Cohn, Sao Paulo 2008 & Christoffersen, Copenhagen in 2009. He was shortlisted in 2010 for the Threadneedle Painting Prize. James’ work is heavily influenced by his interest in gaudy B-movie imagery and sleazy paperback covers from the sixties juxtaposed with a sense of Bronx style tagging intervention. He unashamedly appropriates / steals and ‘sprays up’ in his work whilst acknowledging and questioning the apparent legacy of modernism and gestural abstract painting. James continues to slalom these perceived territories while maintaining his own broad assessment of painting. 2015 sees the launch of his personal project space Horrific Gallery in London’s Hackney Wick. He also runs independent record label Horrific Recordings.