Adam James
Adam James (b. 1978, UK) is an artist based in Sweden, working with live roleplay, sculpture, drawing, painting and moving image. His work begins with friction: people or forms that might resist one another are brought into relation to see what emerges under pressure. Consensus is not the goal. Live roleplay operates as both a method and a lens. James designs interaction engines through scripts, objects and shared fictions, then relinquishes control within them. The work is predominantly non-verbal and choreographic. Drawing, sculpture, text and moving image can sit before, within or after these live systems. James breaks larp down into its working parts and carries that logic into physical work and public space. Projects include SPACE, Wellcome Collection, Tate St Ives and The Common Home
Utvalda verk
Adam James, Ligger Ligga, Parts 1-3. In-game documentation, Hela Havet Stormar, 2026. Konstmuseet i Skövde and Skogen, Göteborg. Photographs: Adam James.
Ongoing series of chainsaw works developed through studies in choreographic, non-verbal play and embodiment. 2024–ongoing.
In game view: 'Chorus of Things', Berwick Shines, Litany for the Border. 2025.
'The Common Home' Beväringsgatan and Befälsgatan, Göteborg. Installation views, 2023-25.
'All of Us Are Myself', Play Well, Wellcome Collection, UK. Images credit: Thomas Farnetti, Wellcome Collection, 2019.
'Procrustean Bed' sample of upcoming moving image work. Textile Museum & Boras Museum, Sweden. 2024.
'KEMENETH' 2021. Installation view, Tate St Ives, 2021. Courtesy of the artist. Photo © Tate (Sonal Bakrania)
'Wasteland Rituals' pt 1 single channel blu-ray with sound, 18mins 45sec loop, 2014.
'The Third Thing' - Vävda rum, 2023.
'The Mudhead Dance' single channel blu-ray with sound, 13min 23sec loop, 2012.
