Mac James

  • Artist Statement

    On Kauaʻi with Shadow

    Photograph by Mark Hanauer

    Artist Statement

    After thirty years painting, drawing and exhibiting primarily in Los Angeles and

    New York City,

    I moved full time to Kaua’i

    in 2004, continuing to make and exhibit work.

    With few voyages elsewhere since except to the neighboring Islands, I am living among endless inspirations of both light and subject to present in subject, color and line set before me.

    New and different than even moments ago, ever evolving life and weather in the sea, on the land, in the air, the people, animals and botanicals of all kinds combine into a tour de force of reality.

    A unique harmony is instilled both calming and sharpening our senses to the reaction of Nature forever in charge of us all.

     

    Mac James

    Kalihiwai Bay, Kaua’i

    2026

  • Education

    1976-78
    California Institute Of The Arts (CalArts)
    Valencia, CA
    Graphic design and illustration.

  • Exhibitions

    SOLO EXHIBITIONS

    2025-6
    KAHILU EXHIBITS, Waimea, Hawai’i
    HUI: Island ^ Sea ^ Air
    November 18, 2025 - January 4, 2026
    Simperman Gallery
    Curated by Director Andy Behrle
    and The Board of Kahilu Arts Center
    Twenty year survey of drawings and paintings made on Kaua’i 2004-25; depicting the fragile ecosystems and combined experiences of life on the island, at sea and in the sky both real and conceptual.

    2010
    GALERIE 103, Poipou, Hawai’i
    IKAIKA
    Paintings, Drawings + Sculpture

    2009
    KAUA’I MUSEUM, Lihue, Hawai’i
    TRUE STORY STILL GOING
    Paintings + Drawings 2004-8

    2007
    TIME/SPACE GALLERY, Hanapepe, Hawai’i
    FEEDING ON KAUA’I
    New Paintings + Drawings

    2003
    ROSAMUND FELSEN GALLERY, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, California
    UN-NATURE: RECENT PAINTINGS + DRAWINGS

    2002
    ROSAMUND FELSEN GALLERY, Bergamot
    Station, Santa Monica, California
    RECENT PAINTINGS + WORKS ON PAPER

    1998
    LUCAS SCHOORMANS/ SUSAN JENSEN GALLERY, Los Angeles,California
    NEW WORKS ON PAPER

    1996
    JUGENDHILFE GALERIE, Düsseldorf, Germany
    NEW YORK CITY VIEWS + URBAN CREATURES
    New Paintings + Works On Paper

    1996
    LINCOLN CENTER, New York, New York
    ELAINE KAUFMAN CULTURAL CENTER
    NEW YORK ANATOMY LESSON
    Paintings, Collages + Works On Paper

    1995
    BARBARA BRAATHEN GALLERY
    NEW PAINTINGS + WORKS ON PAPER

    1993
    TRIBECA GALLERY, New York, New York
    NEW PAINTINGS

    1991
    THOMAS SOLOMON’S GARAGE Gallery,
    Los Angeles, California
    NEW WORK

    1990
    ICCAN GALLERY, Laguna Beach, California
    PAINTINGS: 1994-1990

    1986
    HIMOVITZ/ SALAMON GALLERY, Sacramento, California
    NEW PAINTINGS

    GROUP EXHIBITIONS

    2025
    KAHILU EXHIBITS, Waimea, Hawai’i
    Kahilu Exhibits 2025 Juried Exhibition:
    ONI’: DISTURBANCES + RESILIENCE
    Curated by Kanani Daley, Director of
    The East Hawai’i Cultural Center

    2024
    KAHILU EXHIBITS, Waimea, Hawai’i
    Kahilu Exhibits Annual Juried Exhibition:
    INTERISLAND ACTION
    Curated by Josh Tengan, former Associate Director of Hawai’i Contemporary and independent curator in Hawai’i.

    2022
    KAUA’I SOCIETY OF ARTISTS, Lihue, Hawai’i
    ART KAUA’I 2022
    Curated by Dr. Robert Soppolsa,
    US Arts In Embassies Program, Washington, DC

    2013
    GALLERY 1O3, Poipou, Hawai’i
    EVOLVE
    Gallery Artists Exhibition

    2011
    THE CONTEMPORARY MUSEUM AT FIRST HAWAI’IAN CENTER, Honolulu, Hawai’i
    IN THE NEWS: Response + Critique by Artists
    Curated by Inger Tully, Curator of Exhibitions, The Contemporary Museum,

    2010
    GALLERY 103, Poipou, Hawai’i
    GALLERY ARTISTS EXHIBITION

    2009
    GALERIE 103, Poipou, Hawai’i
    GALLERY ARTISTS EXHIBITION

    2008
    CEDAR STREET GALLERY, Honolulu, Hawai’i
    MATCHBOX IV
    Invitational Exhibition

    THE ARTS AT MARK’S GARAGE,
    Honolulu, Hawai’i
    ECO-LOGIC
    Invitational Exhibition

    KAUA’I SOCIETY OF ARTISTS, Lihue, Hawai’i
    ART KAUA’I 2008
    Curated by Lisa Yoshihara + Wayne Kawamoto,
    Curators, University of Honolulu Art Gallery

    2007
    CONTEMPORARY ARTS AT ALA MOANA CENTER, Honolulu, Hawai’i
    NEW PAINTINGS BY MAC JAMES AT CHANEL

    KAUA’I SOCIETY OF ARTISTS, Lihue, Hawai’i
    ART KAUA’I 2007
    Curated by Marcia Morse, Professor of Art,
    Honolulu Community College

    2006
    KAUA’I SOCIETY OF ARTISTS, Lihue, Hawai’i
    ART KAUA’I 2006
    Curated by James Jensen,
    Curator, Honolulu Contemporary Museum


    2005
    ART KAUA’I 2005
    Curated by James Jensen,
    Curator, Honolulu Contemporary Museum

    2004
    LAGUNA MUSEUM, Laguna Beach, California
    SUMMER INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION

    2003
    LAGUNA MUSEUM, Laguna Beach, California
    SUMMER INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION

    2002
    LAGUNA MUSEUM, Laguna Beach, California
    SUMMER INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION

    2000
    NAUTICA GALLERY, Quogue, New York
    SUMMER INVITATIONAL GROUP EXHIBITION

    1994
    UNION LEAGUE GALLERY, New York, New York
    NEW PAINTINGS + WORKS ON PAPER

    1993
    BRIDGEWATER/ LUSTBERG GALLERY,
    New York, New York
    WILDLIFE

    1990
    THOMAS SOLOMON’S GARAGE GALLERY,
    Los Angeles, California
    INAUGURAL GROUP EXHIBITION

    PARKER/ZANIC GALLERY,
    Los Angeles, California
    INVITATIONAL GROUP EXHIBITION

    1989
    PARKER/ZANIC GALLERY,
    Los Angeles, California
    200 LOS ANGELES