Jonathan James

Artist Statement

My most recent work is a series of figurative paintings I am making to address the outcome of human trafficking as a natural progression of late capitalism. I am making a series called “A Ferengi Funeral” based on the Star Trek characters of the same name, and partly funded by the Roddenbery foundation that will question to what extent we are all responsible for, and how we uphold the basis of human trafficking. I wish also to address the relationship between subject and artist when using work that highlights the bodies of others’ and to what benefit they receive or any from the profits resulting in their shared efforts.