The artworks of Alexander James, Distil Ennui Studio™

Browse and purchase artworks direct from the studio of underwater sculptural artist Alexander James; Download full screen images to use as backgrounds on your device.

see more at the studio website www.DistilEnnui.com

About; Distil Ennui Studio™, London.
Creating meticulously crafted sculptural scenes; involving hand made dresses, breeding butterflies, growing flowers and even to the making of Ophelias 24 carat gold halo; this is a monastically dedicated process involving prolonged periods of studio confinement; this process imbues a deep and harmonious dialogue with the chosen subject that is ultimately to be encased within a vast dark underwater landscape.

The introduction of water in this way serves its purpose both symbolically and as the functional device through which to achieve the painterly effect of these works; with the interaction of brushes and bare hands on the surface of the water; literally painting in the light.

For the most part these creations are destroyed, leaving behind only the 8 x 10 inch cellulose plates of light sensitive film used as documentary evidence of the piece ever having physically existed and of this moment in time ever having taken place.

Working without the use of post production; either traditional or digital, this dedication to in-camera purity establishes a predominant focal point in his practice.

The quality of the work and the purity of the process is paramount, distilling elements out with the strong use of deep blacks; conveying rich layers of meaning in what at first appear deceptively simple images.

Distil Ennui; definition... to extract the essence and beauty of life to appease world weariness.


Black is boundless in its absolute and pure potential, it always forms my canvas. I seem to be on a path dedicated to spending a lifetime trying to cross out the boundaries between sculpture, painting and photography; the more obscured they are, the more you will want to explore. Alexander James, April 2014