James Joyce

James Joyce is a British artist known for his bold, conceptually driven work spanning painting, screenprinting, drawing, and installation. His practice interrogates popular iconography through a distinctive visual language, dismantling and reconfiguring familiar forms—most notably the smiley face and clown motifs—into graphic abstractions that reflect on identity, perception, and emotional complexity.

Operating at the intersection of fine art and graphic design, Joyce’s work balances formal precision with playful irreverence. His Clown series exemplifies this: vibrant compositions of simplified shapes and colour that distill the joy and absurdity of the traditional clown motif into something visually arresting and psychologically layered.

Through his exploration of imagery, typography, and applied graphics, Joyce has built a global following. His work appears in books, magazines, and awards annuals, and his bold, witty approach to image-making has attracted commissions from numerous high-profile clients. Joyce has exhibited internationally, with solo shows at Colette (Paris), work included in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, and a video installation featured in Banksy’s Dismaland. His paintings are held in private collections worldwide.

Having recently relocated from London, Joyce now lives and works in Somerset, where he continues to produce work that is both immediate and enduring.