4-8 December 2024
Brunswick Street Gallery
‘What makes Riches’ work so compelling is not just his skill in capturing the physical characteristics of suburban Melbourne but his ability to convey emotion through that landscape. Where many might overlook the mundane details of urban life, Riches brings them to the forefront with tenderness and depth, revealing not just the buildings, trees, or streets but the emotional essence of the places themselves. In turn, Riches’ paintings evoke that quiet, sometimes melancholic, and nostalgic connection we all have with the places we inhabit.
These works are more than simply representations of suburban life; they are an exploration of our emotional resonance of these spaces, capturing the mood and the stillness of moments that are easily lost in the rush of daily life.’
Jacqui Burnes – Gallery Manager & Curator, BSG Projects
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on Birchply panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on Birchply panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on Birchply panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on Birchply panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
13-28 July 2024
Brunswick Street Gallery
'The mainline through Northcote, Thornbury and Preston, James Riches’ new series High Street: New Paintings, presents the famed street–recently declared the world’s coolest–in uncharacteristic quietness, cast aglow in the changing light of the day. In these hours, the viewer is offered a more serene view of a scene often bustling with people, as if we are glancing out the window of the 86 at the end of a long day.
Brimming with sentimentality, these paintings are an ode to a stretch of road that is the heartbeat for many lives. Harnessing the fleeting palettes and momentary beauty of the changing skies, Riches’ paintings are a contemplative, perhaps romanticized study of suburban scenes. Offering a narrative touched with nostalgia, his paintings place us within the magical hours as the world quietens down with the dipping of the sun, to emerge anew and hopeful with each breaking dawn.'
Jacqui Burnes - BSG Projects Manager
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
15x20 cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
15x20 cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
15x20 cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
15x20 cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
15x20 cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
15x20 cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
15x20 cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
15x20 cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
15x20 cm
Oil on canvas panel, framed in Vic. Ash
15x20 cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
15x20 cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
15x20 cm
7-21 December 2023
Brunswick Street Gallery
‘Harnessing the fleeting palettes and momentary beauty of the changing skies, James Riches’ paintings are a contemplative, perhaps romanticised study of suburban scenes. Offering a narrative touched with nostalgia, his paintings place us within the magical hours as the world quietens down with the dipping of the sun, to emerge anew and hopeful with each breaking dawn.
As Riches’ practice slowly moves in a new direction, these artworks are both the result of, and a subtle nod toward the artist’s transition into a new era of painting, as his lens shifts towards new horizons.’
Jacqui Burnes - BSG Projects Manager
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
14X24cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
14X24cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
14X24cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
14X24cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
14X24cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
14X24cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
14X24cm
Oil on linen, framed in Vic. Ash
32.4X22.2cm
Oil on linen, framed in Vic. Ash
32.4X22.2cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
14X24cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
14X24cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
14X24cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
48X27.5cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
14X24cm
Oil on linen panel, framed in Vic. Ash
14X24cm
1-18 JUNE 2023 BSG
‘Exploring a somewhat dark, vaguely idyllic notion of landscape in suburbia, Last Light: New Paintings is James Riches’ representational debut at Brunswick Street Gallery, presented by BSG PROJECTS. Developed from Riches’ personal catalogue of photographs and drawing material, the works are reminiscent of certain schools of Australian Impressionism, and are at once a timeless and contemporary encapsulation of our very own backyard.’
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash with a natural wax finish.
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic. Ash
23x13cm
These small scale oil paintings have been developed from the same point of observation where the only constant is radically changing light and sky. The garden is so complex with rambling foliage I can only suggest a few silhouetted branches and maybe a corrugated iron roof in dying light. Never painted from direct observation; imagination, reference material and time turn these fleeting lightscapes into painted studies.
For available works visit the SHOP, or the Brunswick Street Gallery STOCKROOM
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birch ply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birch ply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birch ply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birch ply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Shortlisted for Lethbridge Landscape Prize 2021
Oil on birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Shortlisted for Lethbridge Small Scale Art Award 2021
Oil on birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
10”x5” / 25x13cm
Oil on birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
10”x5” / 25x13cm
Oil on linen on birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
10”x5” / 25x13cm
Oil on linen birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
This little series had been brewing for sometime and suddenly needed painting. The moon is such a potent symbol, but this precise pale abstraction suspended in rich velvety colour is so beautifully compelling visually – a perfect shape marking the sky. A series of drawings I made from about 15 years ago depicted a circle with a small figure almost dissolving into an intricate web of inked lines. I don’t recall considering these to be representative of the moon, but possibly I am wrong.
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Visit the SHOP for availability
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
These are a continuation of paintings made from collected reference material and my immediate lockdown surroundings. This little series has essentially been an excuse to experiment with cerulean blue pigment. Rich, beautiful and makes for a perfect sky.
Visit the SHOP for availability
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
These are a continuation of paintings made from collected reference material and my immediate lockdown surroundings. They have unintentionally become a slightly desperate, broken panorama of a backyard view - hopefully surveying and mapping the perimeters. The recent monochromatic paintings have to be credited to my love of painters Mark Tansey and the landscapes of Eugene Carriere.
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen birchlpy panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
5”x5” / 13x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on linen panel. Framed in Vic Ash with a natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
Oil on birchply panel. Framed in Vic Ash with natural wax finish.
9”x5” / 23x13cm
