Hi, I am James Ritchie – Artist, Blacksmith Sculptor

I graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD) Dundee University with a BA (Hons) Fine Art degree in the summer of 2015

In my final year at DJCAD I was interested in how the human condition is influenced by factors outwith the control of the individual. Like religious, political, environmental, social, state or ethnic pressures that are brought to bear on individuals, families or a nation of people.

That interest and focus formed my practice and final-year project at DJCAD.

Human beings’ constant jostling for power, control and influence over their fellow man is at the heart of all societies, cultures and tribes – no matter their sophistication, size or place in the world.

Back in 2015, I was young and still a bit green around the edges, but as far as I could gather, we haven’t learned many lessons from history about behaving towards one another in a reasonable, responsible and compassionate manner. In fact, back then and now, we seem to be going backwards.

In my view, art has a duty to reflect or stimulate debate about the human experience or the world we live in today. I believe this is the power, strength and actual value of art – stimulating people from all walks of life to stop for a minute and think about the artistic statement, idea, creation or words that an artist puts to the viewer. Then maybe, just maybe, they will consider, act or think differently about the broader human condition – more responsibly and compassionately, for the benefit of all humankind and the planet we call home. Fingers crossed…

I will be adding new work to this website as I create it. So please come back now and again to see what I have been up to.