Bio:
James McCracken Jr. (b. 1988, Richmond, Virginia) is a photo-based artist, visual storyteller, educator, and military veteran. He is interested in storytelling, memory, and ideas of family. His research based process often engages narratives and histories to examine the psychology of power in relation to identity.
James currently lives in Brooklyn and maintains a studio in Petersburg, Virginia. His work has been published and exhibited internationally, and many of his photographs are in private and public collections. James holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University (Visual Arts), Master of Arts degree (Journalism), and Bachelor of Arts (double majoring in Visual Arts and Communications) from Fordham University.
“I grew up throughout Virginia, and my love for collecting things began as a kid while working with my father in his architectural salvage and custom home business. I loved working on historic homes and in junk yards, and still scavenge flea markets and yard sales looking for inspirational things to surround myself with. Besides having access to wonderful treasures, I was also able to meet the most interesting characters. My fascination with objects, and how they reminded me of a person or place, ultimately led me to photography as a medium with many possibilities. After being honorably discharged from the Navy I moved to New York City and immersed myself into photography - inspired by Walker Evans: American Photographs…I was fortunate to have some great mentors while studying at Fordham and Columbia. They all pushed and pulled my work in many directions, and asked some tough questions…I hope that when people view my work now they have more questions than answers.”