James M Barrett has been a professional artist for over 35 years. (For 15 years as one half of the duo Barrett-Forster). He has a Master of Fine Art with distinction from Goldsmiths College and a Master of Cultural Studies with distinction from The University of West London. He began his art education with undergraduate Fine Art studies with distinction at Byam Shaw School of Art and foundation studies at Central School of Art, both now part of Central St Martins, University of the Arts London.

Barrett’s solo exhibitions have been featured at prestigious venues including: The Australian Centre for Photography, North Melbourne Town Hall (Australia), Cambridge Darkroom Gallery, Castlefield Gallery, Manchester Green Rooms, New Art Projects Gallery (London), The Museum of Installation, Rear Window Gallery, and Harvey Nichols Department Store.

He has exhibited in group shows for renowned international institutions such as: The Australian National Gallery, Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art, Experimenta (Australia), Hong Kong Arts Centre, MAMA (Rotterdam), Oude Kerk, Gallery Art Kitchen, and at Central Station (all Amsterdam), Naarden Photography Festival (Netherlands), le Confort Modern (France), FNAC (touring Europe), Hal Bromm Gallery (NY), Practice Space (LA), and Berkeley Art Museum and Duke University, as well as at Miami Pulse (all USA).

In London James has displayed his work in: The Victoria & Albert Museum, South London Art Gallery, The Guildhall, Clifford Chance, Gasworks Gallery, Financial Times, Sadlers Wells, Riverside Studios, Catto Contemporary, Aldwych Station; and made commissions for The Institute of Contemporary Art. Nationally he has exhibited in: Manchester City Art Gallery, The Cornerhouse Gallery, Walsall New Gallery, MAC (Birmingham), Harley Gallery (Nottingham), and Nottingham Castle Museum.

His art has featured in numerous publications, including Michael Petry’s Hidden Histories, a survey of most influential  gay artists of the C20th, and his work is held in the collections of FNAC (Paris), Duke University (North Carolina), City of Senigalia (Italy), the John Kobal Collection, the Victoria & Albert Museum, as well as in numerous private collections.

Recognition for his work has included being selected for The National Portrait Gallery John Kobal Photographic Portrait Awards exhibition, being shortlisted for the Whitworth Young Contemporaries, and receiving awards from: The Photographers’ Association, Foyles, and Arte Viva Festival (Italy). At the international Pride Photo Awards  (Netherlands) James won 3 major prizes – including the Friends of PPA Award and the overall Audience Award.

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