Solo and Collaborative projects
Select work divided by era and location. My own visual performed work, which approached characters through issues of loss with a combination of humor, play, and curiosity. In other words, I was figuring things out in my twenties.
The Bat Series 2004-2005. A series of performance informed drawings where I imagine what would happened if I became Batman instead of Bruce Wayne.
From the NYTimes: “James Bewley is one of the artists who take their own lives as a starting point. His gouaches depict a character in a bat suit whose bumbling adventures are based loosely on his life. He places his antihero in ridiculous situations, like trying to chat up women, smoking a cigar or riding a motorcycle to church.”
Included in Characters I and II, at Silvermine Art Guild, in CT and Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts in Long Branch, NJ and Score: Action Drawing at White Columns, NY.
Gilly G's Goodtime Showcase, 2002-2003. 667 Shotwell, and Stephen J. Wirtz Gallery, SF.
Retirement party for a forgotten TV host.
Featuring Jon Wolanske as the Tap Dancing Bandit.
The Good Word, 2002. A religious puppet show produced for Neighborhood Public Radio. Audio clip is a broadcast that went out over the airwaves in Berkeley one Sunday morning.
Lovesome, 2002. The Exploratorium, SF.
Man goes on a series of public blind "dates" where he only connects with people through voice.
Moon Transfer, 2001. Works, San Jose, CA.
Man dressed as Adam Strange lands on the moon and encounters a moon slug.
He talks about how he wants to go home and sings, I Still Miss Someone by Johnny Cash.
Lollygag, 1999. The Lab, SF.
A man-moth enters with his own light. A boy struggles to tie a tie.
A man tells a story about a funeral.
Motherless Child plays on a violin. Featuring Jon Wolanske.
Drowning, 1998. A play by Maria Irene Fornes. Fourwalls, SF.
HOVER, 1997. Providence, RI.
A story about a boy, his parent, space flight, and innocence in the face of loss.
Set in the shadow of Chernobyl.
I can't remember when she took me sledding, 1996. Providence, RI.
Sit on a coffin shaped box. Put on a bear hat and cape...
exhaling the entire time...
only take a breath when inside the box.
Drawing with Ray. 1996. Providence, RI.
A man uses layout chalk to make a drawing on a garage floor.
Audience watching at PSG59 Keene,