Timeline

James Chedburn is a British artist who has been living in France since 1990, dividing his time between his home in Paris and his workshop in the Lot.

Since 1986, he has been exhibiting in France, in Japan, Canada, U.S.A and India. His work is shown in various public and private collections.

His figurative work is always based on movement, which allows the visitor to interact with the object by turning a crank or activating a motor. His sculptures have a playful character and relate to a poetical and imaginary world. He uses brass wire to bring his sketches to life in three-dimensions, and discarded objects to add an element of nostalgia to his creations.

He is fascinated by mechanical movement and by old machines with cogs and fine gears. Calder, Tinguely and Panamarenko are some of his closest travelling companions who have helped him in his research and inspiration.

His early work was very influenced by the Gothic Revival with sculptures populated by dragons, princesses and monks carved in wood. His gallery of portraits now includes mermaids, odalisques, angels and wild or domestic animals all taken and brought to life from the curious visions in his sketchbooks.

His current work also includes the exploration of the marvels of both maritime and celestial vessels and he has recently made a circus from all forms of bric-a-brac to share the thrills and chills of daring trapeze artists and rebellious wild beasts with his public.

Working in wire allows Chedburn to draw in three dimensions; creating lines, curves and volumes to reveal the character of each of his subjects. When turning a crank of operating the motor, an elephant will raise its trunk, a rhino will move its head ready to charge or a bird will launch into flight, to allow the spectator to share some of the surprise and wonder they had as children.