Approved: 15.10.2013

James Steventon

Artist, Gallery educator, Lecturer / academic, Researcher, Writer

Approved: 15.10.2013

James’ artistic practice involves methods of inhabiting the fleeting mental state of operation loosely defined by Csikszentmihalyi as ‘Flow’. Strategies for achieving this include both endurance running and endurance drawing. That the intention for each strategy is the same, the methods are considered alike: running is drawing. This can manifest itself as either public or private performance, where “Matter has been transformed into energy and time motion,” (Lucy Lippard: February 1968) or as the residue of performance in the form of an autotelic object. In each case this can be driven by both corporeal physicality and new technology, often from the perspective of the heart as a sensory organ.

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Artist Statement

James’ artistic practice involves methods of inhabiting the fleeting mental state of operation loosely defined by Csikszentmihalyi as ‘Flow’. Strategies for achieving this include both endurance running and endurance drawing. That the intention for each strategy is the same, the methods are considered alike: running is drawing. This can manifest itself as either public or private performance, where “Matter has been transformed into energy and time motion,” (Lucy Lippard: February 1968) or as the residue of performance in the form of an autotelic object. In each case this can be driven by both corporeal physicality and new technology, often from the perspective of the heart as a sensory organ.

James Steventon is an artist, writer, and runner, based in Northamptonshire. James is Director of Fermynwoods Contemporary Art, Senior Lecturer (Foundation) at The School of Art, Architecture and Design at London Metropolitan University, and External Examiner (Contemporary Art Practice & Painting), Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.

In 2021 James was nominated as a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts Manufactures and Commerce in recognition of his support of young contemporary artists through his work at Fermynwoods Contemporary Art, his championship of innovative, emerging and impactful arts practice, and his participation in training and advocacy work through Engage as Digital Special Interest Representative.

CV & Education

ARTISTIC PRACTICE

Research Groups

Running Cultures

Running focussed UK based education and research community with Professor Hayden Lorimer (University of Glasgow), Dr Jennifer Lea (University of Exeter), Dr Alan Latham (University College London), Dr Kai Syng Tan (Leeds College of Art) and Dr Andrew Filmer (Aberystwyth University)

 

A Place in Time?

An embryonic research group involving research into several different areas of fine art practice, engaging with the relationship between the words place and time, and place and time orientated art practice.

aplaceintime.info

 

Selected Exhibitions, Performances & Publications

2021 – alpha-png

An online exhibition of images featuring punctured, ruptured, sliced or spliced alpha transparency png files

 

2021 - New Art Highlights - Axisweb

 

2020 - r22

An interview between Kai Syng Tan, James Steventon and art-sport network GONGLE’s Henriette Morrison sharing thoughts on running as a social and cultural practice.


2020 SVOX.TV

A curated film and video arts channel and digital platform of over 100 films

 

2020 Line and Space - Axisweb Playlist

A selection of video work where artists explore 'Line and Space'

 

2019 Curating the East Midlands

An interview with Contemporary Visual Arts Network East Midlands

 

2018 Bodies - Axisweb Playlist

A selection of video work where artists examine 'Bodies' as part of their practice

 

2018 – The Runner & The Kouros, Sculptorvox, Volume Two, Blood and Wire

 

2018 Student vs Google

London Metropolitan University Learning & Teaching Conference

 

2018 Journeys through silence

Sculptorvox, Volume One, Geometry of Nothing

Contributor towards inaugural volume of 7 volume series, exploring a variety of concepts around contemporary sculptural practice

 

2018 Featured Artist

Re-meet the Artist - an interview with Contemporary Visual Arts Network East Midlands

 

2017 Transcultural Dialogues in an Insecure World

The Koppel Project

Featuring a running based live art intervention in collaboration with Kai Syng Tan

 

2017 For Space

Curated by Simon Woolham

PAPER gallery, Manchester

 

2016 Meet the Artist

An interview with Contemporary Visual Arts Network East Midlands

 

2015 Drawing Paper 8

Edited by Amanda Ravetz, Kate Genever and Anne Douglas

 

2015 Running Wild

Running themed practice sharing and networking event

Fermynwoods Contemporary Art

 

2014 JUST LIKE THIS

Online group exhibition

Fermynwoods Contemporary Art

 

2014 OMM - One Metre Measured

Group exhibition with APT research group

NN Contemporary Art, Northants

 

2014 Run Run Run! An International Festival of Running 1.0

3 way discussion with Gregg Whelan and Tristan Meecham

Slade Research Centre, University College London

 

2014 A Song For Eurydice

A running based performance with Jason Singh

The Core, Corby

 

2013 One Hour

Group exhibition with APT research group

The Water Tower and Sudborough Green Lodge, Kettering

 

2013 A Song For Eurydice

A running based performance with Jason Singh

Journeys Across Media 2013 Conference: The Body and the Digital, University of Reading

 

2013 Remain-Dismantle-Replace

Group exhibition with APT research group

Avenue Gallery, University of Northampton

 

2013 Place and Time

Group exhibition with APT research group

Avenue Gallery, University of Northampton

 

2012 A Song For Eurydice

A running based performance with Jason Singh

The Core, Corby

 

2012 Altered States

Durational performance work over the course of 24 hours, following a three-day immersive workshop with Martin O'Brien

]performance space[, London

 

2009 The A-Z of Schrödinger’s Cat

Does the Spectator Run the Show?

Contents May Vary Publications, Castlefield Gallery, Manchester

 

2009 Open 09

Alfred East Gallery, Kettering

 

2007 Mind Over Matter

Opening Performance, Freezing Art Fair, Fishmarket Gallery, Northants

 

2007 Mind Over Matter

Birmingham International Festival for Live & Time Based Art, Birmingham

 

2006 Eco Vandalism

Group Exhibition, Sydenham Hill Woods, London

 

2003 Freud Was Ere

24/7 at the Venice Biennale: Rejected/Unsolicited Projects

24/7 Gallery, London / Venice

 

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Professional Development

2015 a-n Writer Development Programme, Chris Sharratt, The Artists Information Company

a-n’s inaugural Writer Development Programme, covering reviewing, interviewing, critical and feature writing, journalistic skills, and working with an editor.

 

2014 Movement X, Ido Portal, Northampton

A revolutionary approach to movement development, integrating health, aesthetics, performance and art.

 

2013 Philosophy On The Run, The School of Life, London

Exploring the relationship between running and thinking, with Mark Rowlands

 

2012 Power and Grace, Movnat, Birmingham

Training in natural human movement skills for physical competence, practical performance and efficiency, with Joseph Bartz

 

2011 SACRED InTRANSIT, Chelsea Theatre, London

Examining the relationship between performance action and image, with Manuel Vason

 

2011 A Line Made by Walking Without Marking the Earth with Daniel Belasco Rogers

A GPS Workshop for Artists, Live Art Development Agency (LADA) DIY8

 

2011 Body/Landscape

A comprehensive training and performance practice that investigated the intersections of bodies and their environments, exploring and developing consciousness of the body itself being an ever evolving landscape within a greater surrounding landscape, led by Frank van de Ven (Body Weather Amsterdam)

 

2010 Altered States with Martin O'Brien, LADA DIY7

An immersive 4-day workshop challenging corporeal limits by achieving an altered state of consciousness through intense physical demands on the body

 

2010 Programming for Designers and Artists: an Introduction to Processing

Daniel Soltis (Tinker.it) and Andras Szalai, V&A Museum, London

 

2009 Howduino

Circuit Bending Arduino workshop for artists and designers interested in creating interactive objects or environments, VIVID, Birmingham

 

2007 Arts Award Advisor (Gold Level)

Arts Council England, Trinity Guildhall

 

2007 Grants for the Arts training for local authority officers and funding advisors

Arts Council England, Nottingham

 

2003 Professional Practice & Enterprise Training for Artists

Alison Branagan, Creative Consultancy, ACAVA, London

 

Education

2016 15.071x The Analytics Edge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology edX

2014 MAS.S69x Big Data and Social Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology edX

2014 Teaching Computing, University of East Anglia, FutureLearn

2014 VIVOBAREFOOT Barefoot Movement Science Module, VIVOBAREFOOT Training Clinic

2013 CS50x Introduction to Computer Science, Harvard University edX

2006 City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Media Techniques (Television & Video)

WFA Media & Cultural Centre, Manchester

2003 NCFE Telematics, Tresham College, Kettering

2002 BA (Hons) Fine Art, London Guildhall University

1999 BTEC Foundation in Art & Design Studies, London Guildhall University

 

EMPLOYMENT

2023 - 2024 - External Examiner, Contemporary Art Practice & Painting, Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

2019 - 2023 - External Examiner, Contemporary Art Practice, Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

2018 - Present - Director, Fermynwoods Contemporary Art

2017 - Visiting Lecturer, Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

2016 - 2022 - Digital Special Interest Representative (Voluntary Role), engage

2008 - Present Associate Lecturer, London Metropolitan University

2008 - 2018 - Education Officer, Fermynwoods Contemporary Art, Northants

2015 Visiting Lecturer, University of Northampton

2014 Freelance Arts Educator, The National Centre for Craft & Design, Lincolnshire

2014 Visiting Lecturer, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

2013 Visiting Lecturer, University of Derby

2013 Tutor, Westland Place Studios, London

2007 - 2008 Freelance Arts Educator, Fishmarket Gallery, Northants

2007 Freelance Artist, Northants County Council Adult Learning Service

2005 Technician, London Metropolitan University

2003 - 2005 Visiting Lecturer, London Metropolitan University

2000 - 2002 Freelance Artist, National Association of Gifted Children, London

 

Consultancy

2007 Corby Borough Council, A Play Strategy for Corby

 

Public Speaking

2007 What makes an Outstanding Session?, NCC Adult Learning Service

2007 Grants For The Arts, Funding Fair, CVCS Corby (on behalf of ACE)

 

Evaluation

2003 – 2008 SHAPE, Art Coordinator, Corby Borough Council, Northants