This summer, the Millennium Gallery celebrates the work of one of Sheffield’s most popular artists and printmakers, James Green. Opening on Saturday 27th May, this exhibition will showcase over 50 of Green’s donkey-inspired screen prints and linocuts, alongside clothing, ceramics, films and more. The exhibition will also feature a series of new work, which will go on sale exclusively in the gallery shop, alongside other merchandise.
Born in Birmingham, Green studied Fine Art at Sheffield Hallam University and has worked full-time as a printmaker based in the city for over 12 years. Whilst being well known in the city, his success extends well beyond Sheffield – producing commissions for Paul Smith Menswear, English Heritage, and Hudson Records, and appearing on both Sky Art’s Portrait (2013) and Landscape (2015) Artist of the year. His work has previously been exhibited at the Oriel Mostyn (Llandudno), Colours May Vary (Leeds), as well as at the city’s A month of Sundays gallery, Cupola Gallery, and The Long Gallery at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
James Green, Red Donkey Regrets The Adventure
He started printmaking in 2006 after borrowing some basic linocut material from a friend. After quickly becoming hooked on the medium, it wasn’t long before the donkeys that he’s so known for became a regular subject in his work. He says:
“I had initially wanted to champion them in print-form as I felt, and still do feel, that they are somewhat undervalued in the art world and the real world too. Always the background creature, the donkey is the one carrying things or doing things for other creatures (usually humans), never in the foreground, being celebrated.”
Since then, donkeys have continued to feature alongside view of the city landscapes from further afield, and depictions of other wildlife as constants in his work.
James Green, Donkey Monolith No.15
The exhibition has been supported by The Sheffield Freelance Art & Culture Worker Fund.
Donkey Nonsense: Prints by James Green opens at Millennium Gallery on Saturday 27th May and continues until Sunday 8th October – entry to the exhibition is free.
Find out more about the event here and find James Green’s blog here.
