BIOGRAPHY
A photojournalist and fine art photographer, James Wiley’s accomplishments include the National Photographer of the Year Award (Canada). In 1984, he was selected as one of the top 100 photojournalists in the World to contribute to the book A Day In The Life Of Canada, and in 1987 was invited to contribute to the book Share The Flame (journey of the Olympic flame from Greece to Calgary). In 1988, James was one of only three photographers chosen to produce the photography for the Official Book of The Olympic Games. His work has also appeared in The Best of Photojournalism, an annual publication featuring the World’s best photographs of the year, and is included in the book The World’s Greatest Black & White Photography, published in 2007. His own book Images of Cabbagetown, published in 1994, contrasted the lives of those living in one of Canada’s most eclectic neighbourhoods and his photojournalism has been featured in magazines and newspapers internationally.
REPRESENTATION
The photography of James Wiley is currently represented by galleries and art consultants in Toronto, New York, London, Boston, Los Angeles, Italy, Vancouver, Montreal, St. Petersburg, Philadelphia, Scottsdale, Nantucket and Chicago. He is also a member of the Centre For Contemporary Photography, Toronto.
AWARDS
National Photographer of the Year
2nd place, National Photographer of the Year
Nikon Picture of the Year
Canadian Press and Magazine Awards
Art Directors Club of Toronto Award
NPPA (numerous regional and national awards)
International Black and White Spider Awards, 2004 (nominated in 4 categories)
ARTIST STATEMENT
CHIAROSCURO (Italian for clear-dark)
A term in art for a contrast between light and dark. The term is usually applied to bold contrasts affecting a whole composition.
I have always been fascinated with the ‘black and white’ in black and white photography. This body of work is a result of that fascination. Influenced by the cinematic ‘Film Noir’ period of the 40′s and 50′s and by the work of photographer Bill Brandt, I have compiled these images that emphasize drama and mystery. It is much more about style than subject matter as the goal is always a final print of high contrast, featuring deep, rich blacks and brilliant whites.
All my work has been initially photographed on film and a portion of it contains a substantial amount of film grain. I use high speed film and high contrast paper to achieve the effects I want and these techniques also increase grain size. For me it is an enhancement to the impressionistic feel that I like to create.