James Marks
James Marks makes sculptures from a variety of materials: wire, pipe cleaners, metal scraps, architectural refuse, chance, generosity, mischief, and more wire! Based in Shreveport, Louisiana, James roams the world with wire sculpting materials in tow: cutters, pliers, and a wire spool follow him everywhere he goes. The motion of wire wrapping is both creative and therapeutic. The hypnotic ritual yields dynamic humanoid figures who radiate momentum despite staying still. They seem to stretch, sprawl, dance, and emanate aliveness despite their rusted exteriors.
“These wire people are explorers, of sorts,” James said. “They're going out into the wide world to find the things they need and bring them back to their community. Like they’re pilgrims going off on an adventure or explorers mapping out new territories.” Part of James’ process includes bringing his sculptures to new terrains and leaving them for others to stumble upon, and even keep. Through his process, James re-enchants the world, choreographing serendipitous meet-cutes between human and wire companions.
James also works with pipe cleaners, though not the dollar store variety. “Actual pipe cleaning pipe cleaners,” James specified. “Like, uh, cotton or polyester ones that, as far as I'm aware, really are only made in one place in the world and that's New York.” Rochester, New York, that is. The website, in case you were wondering, is pipecleaners.org and it’s impossible to order them online; you have to call.
For 40 years, James has taken his destiny as an artist into his own hands. Rather than wait around for a gallery to exhibit his work, James installs it himself on fences and utility poles. For this reason, among others, James sees himself as an outsider. “I take the badge of outsider as a compliment,” he said. “I feel like I’m making my own path. I’m Jewish and I ascribe to a lot of Christ’s virtues but I’m also agnostic. I am too Northern for the South, but the NY kids say I sure do have a funny accent.”
Although James enjoys the label of outsider, he’s doing his part to bring others in. James is a tenderhearted teacher who has led wire and pipe cleaner sculpting workshops to children and adults alike. His You As A Wire Hero workshop series was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. “I hope to learn as much from New York as I am able to teach,” James said. “And to quote the Canterbury Tales, ‘gladly would he learn and gladly teach.’”
As the culmination of his 2 weeks relocating to New York City and his Summertime residency, James is organizing a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood of Williamsburg, thus transforming it into Wireamsburg on May 3, 1-4pm. James will hide his handmade wire sculptures of figures dancing, stretching, and gloriously becoming at various locales and neighborhood businesses – on utility poles, in coffee shops, atop dive bars, and more. Participants will be equipped with a page of helpful hints as they embark on their way to find and photograph the hidden treasures. Post and tag at least 10 of the #wireamsburg bunch and you’ll win a commemorative postcard designed by James himself.
After the hunt, come celebrate with a pop-up and cookout back at Summertime. James will be hosting with some of his favorite Louisiana dishes, including Cajun Sausage, King Cake, and Lime Sherbert Punch. Shop James’ collection of wire friends and meet the Wire Man live and in the flesh.
This residency is generously supported by The New York Community Trust, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and New York Department of Cultural Affairs.
