James Hill
James Hill is a metal sculptor focused on contemporary abstract and figurative expressions of the human condition. With over thirty years of experience, his work is featured in galleries, public spaces, private collections, film and television. He has also taught metal sculpture at the University of California, Irvine. James currently lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area.
In sculpting metal, I strive for extraordinary precision and economy to reveal the fragile beauty of life in an unyielding material world.
"I love the raw color and feel of metal. Engaging with a material that is by nature cold, rigid and inflexible is inherently difficult and challenges my creativity and artistic technique. Through a process of designing, hand forging, welding, and sanding to a fine finish, I seek to reveal the essence of the human figure and relationship between forms to convey universal emotions. The surface quality, richness, and texture are specific to each piece I create by incorporating chemical patinas, oxidizers, and grinding finishes. I also consider the dynamic presence of the negative space arising between each individual form as a central component of my composition.
I especially like to use steel as a metaphor that expresses the human condition—we are challenged to be both flexible and durable, beautiful and formidable. The amazing possibilities and stubborn resistance of metal illustrate the paradoxical nature of the material and make it the most expressive material for me as an artist."
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Holiday Open House
December 2 - 16, 2023Burlingame, CA - As the holiday season unfolds, Studio Shop Gallery is thrilled to announce its much-anticipated Holiday Open House, a celebration of art, community, and seasonal cheer. The event...Read more -
Haute Sculpture
Group Show May 6 - 31, 2021The Haute Sculpture Spring Show features many of The Studio Shop Gallery’s accomplished haute sculpteurs et haute sculptrices, in a variety of mediums and a variety of styles. The exhibition...Read more
EDUCATION
1987 Bachelors of Fine Arts, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA
PUBLIC SCULPTURE COMMISSIONS
2017 Hampton Inn Hotel, Tempe, Arizona
2017 The Bellevue Collection, Bellevue, Washington
2011 Medical Building at 129 W. Wilson Street, Costa Mesa, California
2012 Los Altos Public Art Exhibit, Los Altos, California
2010 City of Beverly Hills, 331 Foothill Blvd, Beverly Hills, California
2010 Los Altos Medical Plaza, Mission Viejo, California
2007 Mission Hospital, Mission Viejo, California
2006 Western University, Pomona, California
2003 Borgata Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey
2003 Campbell Hall School, North Hollywood, California
2003 Industrial Metal Supply, Sun Valley, California
1999 Intersection of First & Main Streets, Santa Ana, California
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2015 Coda Gallery, Palm Desert, California
2007 GalleryC, Hermosa Beach, California
2001 The Advocate Gallery, Los Angeles, California
1999 Angels Gate Cultural Center, San Pedro, California
1998 Angels Ink Gallery, Los Angeles, California
1996 – 2016 Brewery Open Studios, Los Angeles, California
1994 Art Center, Santa Cruz, California
1988 Chameleon Gallery, Santa Cruz, California
1988 India Joze Gallery, Santa Cruz, California
1987 J.B. Hall Gallery, Santa Cruz, California
GROUP EXHIBITIONS & GALLERY AFFILIATIONS
2021 Studio Shop Gallery, Burlingame, California
2017 Art Sorcery, Palo Alto, California
2016 Zener Schon Gallery, Mill Valley, California
2009, 2016 El Paseo Invitational Sculpture Exhibition, Palm Desert, California
2012 - 2015 Coda Gallery, Palm Desert, California
2012 - 2015 Michael Levy Gallery, Long Beach, California
2012 Los Angeles County Arboretum, Pasadena, California
2001 – 2012 Venice Artwalk Auction, Venice, California
2010 - 2011 Howard Schepp Gallery, Palm Desert, California
2011 Pierce Modern Gallery, Paso Robles, California
2010 Waxlander Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
1998 - 2009 I-5 Gallery, Los Angeles, California
2007 Art International, Santa Monica, California
2007 The Brewery Projects, Los Angeles, California
2003 - 2006 GalleryC (including Inaugural Exhibition), Hermosa Beach, California
2005 18th Street Arts Center, Santa Monica, California
2005 Art Murmur Gallery, Los Angeles, California
2005 Studio Channel Isla nds, Camarillo, California
2004 Los Angeles Art Show, Santa Monica, California
2001 Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica, California
2001 Big Sculpture Outdoor Exhibition, Palos Verdes, California
2001 I-Zone Gallery, Woodland Hills, California
1999 BGH Gallery, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California
1997 Artrium Gallery, Los Angles, California
1996 ‘97 Spanish Kitchen Gallery, Los Angeles, California
1996 Rainforest Action Network, Los Angeles, California
1996 ‘97 ‘DADA, Downtown Lives, Los Angeles, California
1996 ’97 - ’98 Artcore Annex, Los Angeles, California
1993 - 1994 Mace Gallery, San Francisco, California
1993 - 1994 SOMAR Gallery, San Francisco, California
1992 Stars Exhibition, Santa Cruz Art Museum, Santa Cruz, California
1990 Art Source Gallery, Santa Cruz, California
1989 San Francisco MoMA Art Rental Gallery, San Francisco, California
1987 Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery, Santa Cruz, California
1986 J.B. Hall Gallery, Santa Cruz, California
SELECTED AWARDS
2013 Best of Category, Sculpture, La Quinta Arts Festival
2011 Mayor’s Purchase Award, Beverly Hills Art Show
2011 First Prize, Sculpture, Beverly Hills Art Show
2010 Best of Show, Art at the Glen, Chicago, Illinois
1986 First Prize, Spring Art Exhibition, J.B. Hall Gallery, Santa Cruz, California
TEACHING
Instructor, Metal Sculpture, University of California, Irvine, Spring 2001
PUBLICATIONS
2011 Forbeslife Magazine
2010 Beverly Hills Courier
2009 Marine Scope News, Marine California
2008 Downtown LA Life Magazine
2008 Los Angeles Times
2007 Mungbeing Magazine, California
2006 Orange County Register, California
2004 American Style Magazine
2004 California Homes, Los Angeles
2001 Discovery Channel, Lynette Jennings Design
2001 Downtown News, Los Angeles
1999 Orange County Register, California
1999 Pasadena Weekly, Pasadena, California
1998 Sunset Magazine, Southern California Edition