Shana James
Location
Perth, WA
About
Shana James is a mid-career West Australian artist and educator
who works in painting, printmaking, and artists' books. She completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Curtin University in 1989 and has maintained a continued practice for over 30 years, exhibiting widely in Perth and Melbourne, including 11 solo exhibitions. Her works are held in prominent collections such as Kerry Stokes, Artbank, The WA Water Corporation, The WA Ministry for Culture and the Arts, and Monash University.
In 2021, Shana completed a Master of Arts by Research in Visual Arts from Edith Cowan University. During this study, she further developed her narrative art practice responding to the story of Alice in Wonderland. Using the story as a critical lens to explore ideas around choice and agency.
Known for her poetic narrative artworks, Shana's imagery often juxtaposes the mundane with the fantastical, presenting humans and animals in dynamic, unexpected settings presenting a poetic interpretation of contemporary life. The mundane juxtaposed with the meaningful, reminding us of the mystery and wonder which is present in even the most ordinary life.
Artist Statement
Two artists collaborate from coast to coast
Ebony Russell and Shana James explore the complexities of artistic collaboration across geographical distance in this practice led discussion. Inspired by their exhibition Circe – Choose Your Own Story at Stala Contemporary, the artists share their creative journey bridging Perth and Sydney.
Grounded in their shared interest in narrative, storytelling, and feminist perspectives, their work reimagines Madeline Miller’s Circe through ceramics and printmaking, challenging traditional views of feminine art. The talk reveals their processes of co creating despite physical distance, leveraging digital tools, and building on a professional relationship rooted in their roles as art educators in Ubud, Bali.
The presentation highlights three themes:
Divide: Managing logistics and overcoming challenges of working across cities.
Support: How mutual exchange shaped their practices and collaboration.
Connect: Resonating with audiences by transforming Circe’s myth into a contemporary narrative.
With projected visuals from their exhibition at STALA contemporary, this talk offers a compelling insight into the interplay of creative synergy, myth, and modern feminist art.