Rocker

Mark James is a London based designer and graphic artist. He has worked mainly within the music industry for the last ten years, designing artwork for the likes of the Super Furry Animals and The Charlatans as well as creating his own lifestyle products, vinyl figures and exhibition work. James caught the attention of the national UK media in 2002 when the release of his controversial vinyl figure, Chinpira: The Sweet and Tender Hooligan, caused the British FA to condemn the product. In 2004 James released the first of his mixed media Cardboy series to critical acclaim, this was followed in 2006 by the second series - Sneakers. The third instalment, Cartridges, pays homage to bubble jet ink cartridges, released September 2007. Recent projects have included art directing The Fratellis album campaign, directing the Candylion video for Gruff Rhys, whilst producing the artwork, photography and the stage set for the project. James also launched his latest vinyl concept “99% is Shit” an observation on modern life, and is working on his first solo exhibition. Based in San Francisco, CA but catering to the world at large, STRANGEco creates and distributes unique, high-quality design-oriented consumer products. Working closely with contemporary artists from a variety of subculture art genres – pop surrealism, graffiti & street art, independent comics, illustration, graphic design and others – STRANGEco takes original character design and transforms it into beautiful three dimensional art objects. Founded in 2002 by Gregory Blum and Jim Crawford, STRANGEco has become a dynamic force in the worldwide “Art Toy” movement with a reputation for the highest quality, best produced and intricately realized items. STRANGEco has produced hundreds original products from designs by a literal “who’s who” of contemporary art: Gary Baseman, Ron English, Shepard Fairey, Jeremy Fish, FriendsWithYou, James Jarvis, Mars-1, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Todd Schorr, Tokidoki, Jim Woodring and others. STRANGEco goods can be found in fine retailers worldwide, including art, design and gift stores, boutique toy stores, lifestyle and apparel shops, museum stores, comic, record and bookshops, and a select number of lifestyle-oriented national retailers.