James Steventon
James’ artistic practice involves methods of inhabiting the fleeting mental state of operation loosely defined by Csikszentmihalyi as ‘Flow’. Strategies for achieving this include both endurance running and endurance drawing. That the intention for each strategy is the same, the methods are considered alike: running is drawing. This can manifest itself as either public or private performance, where “Matter has been transformed into energy and time motion,” (Lucy Lippard: February 1968) or as the residue of performance in the form of an autotelic object. In each case this can be driven by both corporeal physicality and new technology, often from the perspective of the heart as a sensory organ.
James Steventon is an artist, writer, and runner, based in Northamptonshire. James is Director of Fermynwoods Contemporary Art, Senior Lecturer (Foundation) at The School of Art, Architecture and Design at London Metropolitan University, and External Examiner (Contemporary Art Practice & Painting), Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.
In 2021 James was nominated as a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts Manufactures and Commerce in recognition of his support of young contemporary artists through his work at Fermynwoods Contemporary Art, his championship of innovative, emerging and impactful arts practice, and his participation in training and advocacy work through Engage as Digital Special Interest Representative.
ARTISTIC PRACTICE
Research Groups
Running Cultures
Running focussed UK based education and research community with Professor Hayden Lorimer (University of Glasgow), Dr Jennifer Lea (University of Exeter), Dr Alan Latham (University College London), Dr Kai Syng Tan (Leeds College of Art) and Dr Andrew Filmer (Aberystwyth University)
A Place in Time?
An embryonic research group involving research into several different areas of fine art practice, engaging with the relationship between the words place and time, and place and time orientated art practice.
aplaceintime.info
Selected Exhibitions, Performances & Publications
2021 – alpha-png
An online exhibition of images featuring punctured, ruptured, sliced or spliced alpha transparency png files
2021 - New Art Highlights - Axisweb
2020 - r22
An interview between Kai Syng Tan, James Steventon and art-sport network GONGLE’s Henriette Morrison sharing thoughts on running as a social and cultural practice.
2020 SVOX.TV
A curated film and video arts channel and digital platform of over 100 films
2020 Line and Space - Axisweb Playlist
A selection of video work where artists explore 'Line and Space'
2019 Curating the East Midlands
An interview with Contemporary Visual Arts Network East Midlands
2018 Bodies - Axisweb Playlist
A selection of video work where artists examine 'Bodies' as part of their practice
2018 – The Runner & The Kouros, Sculptorvox, Volume Two, Blood and Wire
2018 Student vs Google
London Metropolitan University Learning & Teaching Conference
2018 Journeys through silence
Sculptorvox, Volume One, Geometry of Nothing
Contributor towards inaugural volume of 7 volume series, exploring a variety of concepts around contemporary sculptural practice
2018 Featured Artist
Re-meet the Artist - an interview with Contemporary Visual Arts Network East Midlands
2017 Transcultural Dialogues in an Insecure World
Featuring a running based live art intervention in collaboration with Kai Syng Tan
2017 For Space
Curated by Simon Woolham
PAPER gallery, Manchester
2016 Meet the Artist
An interview with Contemporary Visual Arts Network East Midlands
2015 Drawing Paper 8
Edited by Amanda Ravetz, Kate Genever and Anne Douglas
2015 Running Wild
Running themed practice sharing and networking event
Fermynwoods Contemporary Art
2014 JUST LIKE THIS
Online group exhibition
2014 OMM - One Metre Measured
Group exhibition with APT research group
NN Contemporary Art, Northants
2014 Run Run Run! An International Festival of Running 1.0
3 way discussion with Gregg Whelan and Tristan Meecham
Slade Research Centre, University College London
2014 A Song For Eurydice
A running based performance with Jason Singh
The Core, Corby
2013 One Hour
Group exhibition with APT research group
The Water Tower and Sudborough Green Lodge, Kettering
2013 A Song For Eurydice
A running based performance with Jason Singh
Journeys Across Media 2013 Conference: The Body and the Digital, University of Reading
2013 Remain-Dismantle-Replace
Group exhibition with APT research group
Avenue Gallery, University of Northampton
2013 Place and Time
Group exhibition with APT research group
Avenue Gallery, University of Northampton
2012 A Song For Eurydice
A running based performance with Jason Singh
The Core, Corby
2012 Altered States
Durational performance work over the course of 24 hours, following a three-day immersive workshop with Martin O'Brien
]performance space[, London
2009 The A-Z of Schrödinger’s Cat
Does the Spectator Run the Show?
Contents May Vary Publications, Castlefield Gallery, Manchester
2009 Open 09
Alfred East Gallery, Kettering
2007 Mind Over Matter
Opening Performance, Freezing Art Fair, Fishmarket Gallery, Northants
2007 Mind Over Matter
Birmingham International Festival for Live & Time Based Art, Birmingham
2006 Eco Vandalism
Group Exhibition, Sydenham Hill Woods, London
2003 Freud Was Ere
24/7 at the Venice Biennale: Rejected/Unsolicited Projects
24/7 Gallery, London / Venice
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Professional Development
2015 a-n Writer Development Programme, Chris Sharratt, The Artists Information Company
a-n’s inaugural Writer Development Programme, covering reviewing, interviewing, critical and feature writing, journalistic skills, and working with an editor.
2014 Movement X, Ido Portal, Northampton
A revolutionary approach to movement development, integrating health, aesthetics, performance and art.
2013 Philosophy On The Run, The School of Life, London
Exploring the relationship between running and thinking, with Mark Rowlands
2012 Power and Grace, Movnat, Birmingham
Training in natural human movement skills for physical competence, practical performance and efficiency, with Joseph Bartz
2011 SACRED InTRANSIT, Chelsea Theatre, London
Examining the relationship between performance action and image, with Manuel Vason
2011 A Line Made by Walking Without Marking the Earth with Daniel Belasco Rogers
A GPS Workshop for Artists, Live Art Development Agency (LADA) DIY8
2011 Body/Landscape
A comprehensive training and performance practice that investigated the intersections of bodies and their environments, exploring and developing consciousness of the body itself being an ever evolving landscape within a greater surrounding landscape, led by Frank van de Ven (Body Weather Amsterdam)
2010 Altered States with Martin O'Brien, LADA DIY7
An immersive 4-day workshop challenging corporeal limits by achieving an altered state of consciousness through intense physical demands on the body
2010 Programming for Designers and Artists: an Introduction to Processing
Daniel Soltis (Tinker.it) and Andras Szalai, V&A Museum, London
2009 Howduino
Circuit Bending Arduino workshop for artists and designers interested in creating interactive objects or environments, VIVID, Birmingham
2007 Arts Award Advisor (Gold Level)
Arts Council England, Trinity Guildhall
2007 Grants for the Arts training for local authority officers and funding advisors
Arts Council England, Nottingham
2003 Professional Practice & Enterprise Training for Artists
Alison Branagan, Creative Consultancy, ACAVA, London
Education
2016 15.071x The Analytics Edge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology edX
2014 MAS.S69x Big Data and Social Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology edX
2014 Teaching Computing, University of East Anglia, FutureLearn
2014 VIVOBAREFOOT Barefoot Movement Science Module, VIVOBAREFOOT Training Clinic
2013 CS50x Introduction to Computer Science, Harvard University edX
2006 City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Media Techniques (Television & Video)
WFA Media & Cultural Centre, Manchester
2003 NCFE Telematics, Tresham College, Kettering
2002 BA (Hons) Fine Art, London Guildhall University
1999 BTEC Foundation in Art & Design Studies, London Guildhall University
EMPLOYMENT
2023 - 2024 - External Examiner, Contemporary Art Practice & Painting, Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
2019 - 2023 - External Examiner, Contemporary Art Practice, Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
2018 - Present - Director, Fermynwoods Contemporary Art
2017 - Visiting Lecturer, Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
2016 - 2022 - Digital Special Interest Representative (Voluntary Role), engage
2008 - Present Associate Lecturer, London Metropolitan University
2008 - 2018 - Education Officer, Fermynwoods Contemporary Art, Northants
2015 Visiting Lecturer, University of Northampton
2014 Freelance Arts Educator, The National Centre for Craft & Design, Lincolnshire
2014 Visiting Lecturer, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
2013 Visiting Lecturer, University of Derby
2013 Tutor, Westland Place Studios, London
2007 - 2008 Freelance Arts Educator, Fishmarket Gallery, Northants
2007 Freelance Artist, Northants County Council Adult Learning Service
2005 Technician, London Metropolitan University
2003 - 2005 Visiting Lecturer, London Metropolitan University
2000 - 2002 Freelance Artist, National Association of Gifted Children, London
Consultancy
2007 Corby Borough Council, A Play Strategy for Corby
Public Speaking
2007 What makes an Outstanding Session?, NCC Adult Learning Service
2007 Grants For The Arts, Funding Fair, CVCS Corby (on behalf of ACE)
Evaluation
2003 – 2008 SHAPE, Art Coordinator, Corby Borough Council, Northants