James Ostrer

James Ostrer (b. 1979) is from the UK. The artist lives and works between London, New York and LA. Ostrer’s work often tests the limits of body politics in the ever-evolving analysis of the western body, sexuality, and society at large. Much like Paul McCarthy’s or George Condo’s seminal works, Ostrer's work form a bizarre pattern of post capitalist tribalism with cartoon-like absurdity. They are rife with a sense of ritual endeavor and colour-saturated sensitivity; while palpitating with a nostalgia for various ephemera including junk food and animal parts they present themselves with an emphasis on the potential havoc the over consumption of these things wreak within our collective life experience. His works are often a catalogue of self- destructive behaviors, and are also managed in such a way that while transgressing themselves as odes to great works of historical art practice, they become re-packaged eye candy for uncomfortable consumption. Guru Jimmy has often played a large part in Ostrer's creative process. James describes him as, "a life saving friend who is a spiritually connected amplifier of positive thinking and happiness that pushes me on a continuous journey of self-discovery and learning".

 

Solo exhibitions include the upcoming Post Apoco-Lips, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery (Project space), London (2019); Finding Me Through You, Feld + Haus, Frankfurt, Germany (2019); Johnny Just Came, Gazelli Art House, London, UK (2018); Johnny Just Came, Spring Break - Armoury Week, New York (2018); The Opera House, Bombay Beach Biennale, Bombay Beach, CA (2017); Guru Jimmyin collaboration with Absolut and Zuma Restaurant, Hong Kong (2016) and Ego System, Art Central Hong Kong, with Gazelli Art House, London (2016). 

 

Group exhibitions include I, Cyborg, Gazelli Art House, London, UK (2016); Photo Junctions, Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Abuja, Nigeria (2016); Art Week, Hong Kong, China (2016); On the Table, Curated by Blair Fornwald, Jennifer Matotek, and Wendy Peart, Central and Sherwood Galleries, Regina, Canada (2016) and Guru Jimmy, Rob Pruitt’s Venice Flea Market, Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy (2014).  In 2011, his portrait of Nicky Haslam in Lucien Freud’s chair was “Curator’s choice” for the Taylor Wessing exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.