James Bristow: WE (flow) II

About the artist

Working primarily in silkscreen, James Bristow produces expressive geometric abstractions defined by vibrant colour and off-kilter repetition. His practice is a deliberate push-back against an increasingly filtered and artificial world, prioritising the visible hand of the maker over digital perfection. Each pull of the squeegee is an attempt to capture spontaneous energy, valuing looseness and the physical act of making over rigid design.

While paper and canvas are staple surfaces, Bristow's experimental "what if" approach frequently leads him to less conventional materials. Printing on chiffon, tulle, and various other fabrics allows him to investigate how ink sits on different textures and weights. This material curiosity is paired with a minimal formal language that relies on a generous use of colour to create a sense of motion.

The work is also an emotional and social response to contemporary division. Motivated by a heightened sensitivity to inequality, Bristow uses bold forms to celebrate unity in difference. The Seneca phrase, "we are waves of the same sea," serves as a recurring motif and a conceptual anchor for a more optimistic, joyful vision of the world. Ultimately, these prints are intended to be physical experiences rather than intellectual puzzles—pieces that reward the viewer through visual energy and the suggestion of movement.