James started as an artist by using a camera made by his mother when she worked for Canadian Kodak. As a boy he started taking pictures of his brothers and never looked back. Despite working his way through the living industrial archaeology of Northern Ireland (its factories) building cars in England (Land Rover & Aston Martin) and sleeping in strange countries with his faithful Rolleiflex and sciatica-inducing tripod. He decided to study Art & Design first in England (HND/BA Hons) and then back home in Northern Ireland (MA/MPhil). His other talents include archivist of his long term empire of dirt (books and found objects) while his unpublished memoirs in the form of poetry and graphic design continue to grow unabated.
Today, James is a celebrated artist with a wonderful breadth of subject matter and feeling. He has had dozens of shows and won many awards. His work is collected by intellectuals and critics, museum patrons and a few enlightened locals. Through eight publications he has published his two recent books, "Spectres of Place: Three Decades of Ulster Interiors" and "Spectres of Trotsky : The Lost Interiors of an Exile." Faber Faber chose James to illustrate the cover of Nobel Prize winning author Orhan Pamuk's latest work in English Silent House. His work is represented internationally in some very exotic (and not so exotic) places.
2013 Honourable Mention and Nominee in the 8th Annual Black and White Spider Awards, Professional Photojournalism, Portrait and People Categories. Judged by dignitaries from the Tate, National Geographic, Fratelli Alinari, The Art Newspaper, Cheim & Read of New York & more.
(https://thespiderawards.com/gallery/8th/searchresult.phpt=james+hughes&o=p&Submit=Search)
- International Photography Awards (IPA): Honourable Mention's in Fine Art Portrait Professional and People Portrait Professional categories for the winning entry "Yamuk" (crooked).
(https://www.photoawards.com/en/Pages/Gallery/zoomwin.php?eid=8-54097-13&uid=&code=Portrait)
- Seamus Loughrey Memorial Competition, second place, Coleraine, Northern Ireland.
- Nominee in Citizen M Master Artist Competition, Amsterdam. (citizen.newmasterartist.com)
2012 International Photography Awards (IPA): Honourable Mention in Professional Editorial - Photo Essay and Feature Story category for the winning entry "Undeclared." (https://photoawards.com/en/Pages/Gallery/zoomwin.php?eid=84734412&uid=&code=Photo%20Essay%20and%20Feature%20Story) sponsors and partners: atedge, pdn (photo district news), splashlight, Silvershotz (International Journal of Contemporary Photography), [F8] magazine, Daylight etc.
- Nominee in the 7th Annual Black and White Spider Awards, Professional Portrait Category. Judged by dignitaries from the Tate, Sotheby's Institute of Art, Magnum Photos, The Armory Show Modern, Bonham's etc.
- The Irish Times Open House Irish Architecture Foundation Dublin Photography Competition, Runner up with Henrietta Street Georgian Servant Staircase and Georgian Kitchen. Also winner of picture of the day. All sponsored by LUAS, the Gallery of Photography, Photo Care Ireland and The Irish Times.
- Winner in Istanbul Through the Eyes of Foreigners: Yabanci Seyyahlar Gozuyle Istanbul 2011, Taksim Metro Station Gallery, Istanbul sponsored by Senguler Tourism & Les Arts Turcs , Istanbul Turizm Atolyesi (Part of Istanbul Municipality ), Istanbul Ulasim A.S
2011 Winner and recipient of the title award "Honour of Distinction", the 6th Annual Black and White Spider Awards, Professional Still Life Category. Judged by dignitaries from the Tate, Sotheby's Institute of Art, Magnum Photos, The Armory Show Modern, Bonham's etc.
- Shortlisted artist by Rise Art team & Curators. (https://www.riseart.com/user/jameshughes)
- Professional Photographer of the Year Awards 2010, Commended. (Interiors / Architecture)
2010 Association of Photographers (AOP) Students Awards finalist.
2009 European Heritage Photographic Competition, Highly Commended. (Northern Ireland Environment Agency)
2008 European Heritage Photographic Competition, Winner. (Northern Ireland Environment Agency)
2004 British Journal of Photography/ Nikon Dream Project, finalist.
- HMV Student of the Year.
2003 VIVID, Internet site Winner/ Veuve Clicquot (Centre for Media Arts Ltd, Birmingham)
- Winner New Blood D&AD, The Commonwealth Institute London, sponsored by ADOBE, Nesta, The Head Trust & The Guardian.
2000 Millennium Time Capsule Winner. (www.milleniumphoto.com/english/winners.htm.)
- Belfast Exposed (Millennium Artist)
1999 Olympus Cameras Portfolio, Winner.
1992 Creative Review, Winner, December Issue ISSN 0262-1037 inside back cover.
1991 Bowens lighting competition win
Please contact James for details of workshops or to collaborate with him in suitable projects.
James is a practitioner in the field of art & design, he can work alone on commissions or as a member of a group.
The cost of meeting with James to discuss projects, workshops or training is a cup of coffee. This depends on the project and whether it is personal or public, commercial or private . Please discuss for individual projects.
N/A
24/7... 365 days a week is James availability; please contact to arrange a meeting at your convenience. Please note that James spends part of the year abroad through his work commitments
At my present studio or in suitable local venues.
The ability to communicate and learn, different levels of experience can be catered for.
James facilitates learning of theory and practice at different levels in the fields of Art & Design specializing in photography, art history, film studies, digital imaging and darkroom practice, all of which James has taught at university level. James also works with individuals and small groups in practice based workshops in the field at home and abroad, for example for the past few years the Leica Istanbul street photography workshops amongst others. Participants to workshops and lectures though observers are more than welcome to exhibitions and shows.
All inclusive
James exhibition "Undeclared" will be open for viewing from March 2014 in the Braid Town Hall, Museum and Arts Centre