Biography
Marlon James was born in 1980 in Kingston, Jamaica and is currently based in The Republic of Trinidad & Tobago. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, which includes group exhibitions at The National Gallery of Jamaica, Punkt Ø / Galleri F15 (Norway) Gallery of Mississauga (Canada), The IDB Cultural Center (D.C.), Art Museum of Americas (D.C.), Bargehouse (London), Aliceyard (Trinidad). He has also been published in Small Axe: A Caribbean Art Jornal41, Pictures from Paradise, Jamaica Art: Then and Now and ARC Magazine Issue 4. He received his BFA from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in 2003.
Statement
Incorporating a raw, unedited approach to photography, I often capture socially controversial subjects who represent taboo aspects of Jamaican society. I started out by documenting individuals in the artistic community, and then gradually branched out to the wider community including the Caribbean. An impetus for the work came from a search for my own identity.
Exhibitions:
Solo Exhibition:
Marlon James: Intimate Encounters / March 23, 2013 / NLS, Jamaica
Group Exhibition:
Jamaica Biennial 2022: Pressure, National Gallery of Jamaica
The Photography Show / February 2020 / Y Art Gallery, Trinidad
Jamaican Spiritual July 2017, St. Stephen Walbrook, London
Jamaica Biennial 2012 / 2014 / 2016, National Gallery of Jamaica
Jamaican Routes exhibition / Punkt Ø Galleri F15 2016, Norway
FLOAT exhibition TRANSFORMER Museum / June 2014, Washington D.C
Contemporary Jamaican Art Exhibit Circa 1962 - 2012 / Gallery of Mississauga 2012, Canada
Wrestling with Image 2011(Art Museum of the Americas), Washington D.C.
About Change- Contemporary Jamaican Artist / IDB Cultural Center 2011, Washington D.C
Shot in Kingston 2010(Alice Yard), Trinidad
Young Talent V May 4, 2010, National Gallery of Jamaica
Featured
Marlon James Puts Masculinity Under Pressure : Trinidad & Tobago Newsday, June 2022
Marlon James - An Unedited Approach to Photography Weekend Smile TVJ, May 2022
Photographer Marlon James set to apply ‘pressure’ with a raw, unedited pictorial showcase The Gleaner, May 2022
Marlon James – Taking a Shot at Life The Extraordinary People, April 2017
An Impression of Marlon James' 'King Yellowman' Prudence Lovell, February 2015
On Marlon James: In Search of Identity Mark Lyndersay, June 2014
Metro Magazine // Marlon James Brings His Creativity to T&T Ceola Belix, March 2014
Marlon James: Shutterbug with a unique eye The Gleaner, August 2010
Publication
Archives No.2 : Au Courant
Stranger's Guide : King Yellowman
Marie Claire : Why Black Women in a Predominately Black Culture Are Still Bleaching Their Skin
Picture from Paradise: A Survey of Contemporary Caribbean Photography 2012(book) Robert and Christopher, Trinidad and Tobago
Jamaica Art: Then and Now 2011(book) LMH, Jamaica
Small Axe: A Caribbean Journal of Criticism Issue 41 / 2013(book), Duke University, New York