Today we’d like to introduce you to Xavier James.
Hi Xavier, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My affinity for art began long before I realized that it could be more than just a hobby. When I was in the second grade, my school’s annual field trip to the High Museum of Art happened to fall on my 8th birthday. I remember how lucky I felt that day and being excited to get up in front of the class to share my favorite part of the experience. The arts had always felt like home to me, even at eight years old when I was 110% sure I was going to become an astronaut.
I first picked up a camera in 2015, starting out the usual way of photographing friends and family. With no shortage of willing subjects to practice with, I soon realized that I wanted to lean into more intentional fashion/narrative-centered work. I combined an affinity for music with the film/media degree I was pursuing at Georgia State to create fashion film vignettes to accompany my shoots.
I launched my website in the summer of 2017 with just a few photoshoots and microfilms, eventually adding written work such as poems, music video treatments, and essays. I’ve now completed more than 20 editorial-style photoshoots using visual concepts that pull from Black history, music, and my own imagination. I’m continually inspired by artists like Issa Rae, Solange & Kerby Jean-Raymond, who remind me to see the bounds of my creativity as doors to kick down for myself and others.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like many other Black artists, my college years weren’t a simple balance between classes and creating. Working through college took valuable time away from my art. That feeling of being constrained by time and fiscal needs kept me from enveloping myself in the artistic process. We’re at a critical point in this country where many of us are rethinking our relationships with labor, rest, and personal freedom. My fingers are crossed for us to continue organizing for fair, livable wages that allow people to live out their dreams more fully, with more unabashed intention.
Also, because I practice in so many areas/mediums, I found it hard to decide which path I wanted to take professionally. Now I’ve realized that I can be on all of those paths at the same time because they’re all one. Depending on the project, I can write, research, direct, photograph and collaborate to produce well-rounded work.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m most proud of my commitment to creating with intention. I get lots of ideas for creative work, so I’m always screening their potential by what I feel most led to say through the process. My work has been focused in photography and fashion film recently, but I’m currently experimenting with sculpture and painting. I’m excited to share what I’ve been doing in those arenas soon.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I sang in the choir at my church from the age of two until I graduated high school. During that time, I developed a strong ear for music. One of my long-term goals as an artist is to go back to school for music.
Contact Info:
- Email: xavierjamesprod@gmail.com
- Website: www.thexavierjames.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/saintxjames_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS4DfwqBfzpCbqBKwSAtHYw
Image Credits
Chauntel Jackson (main photo)
The other photos were taken by me
