Thomas Peter James is a Welsh conceptual fine artist and designer, currently working between Oxford, UK, and Istanbul, Türkiye. After earning a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Oxford Brookes University in 2016 and an MA in Information Experience Design (IED) from the Royal College of Art, London, in 2018, James has been actively creating site-specific, land-conscious art projects that explore the intersections of technology and sacredness.

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His current work includes:

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"Notions and Nuances"—a material exploration of the metaphysical presence of visitors within gallery spaces.

 

"MetaMetaMantra"—is a participatory project that explores the intersection of online social media culture and Tibetan spiritual traditions. A part of a larger project which juxtaposes Western inventions with sacred Eastern elements such as philosophy, practices and cultural artefacts objects.

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"What a Waste" is a sculpture series that highlights the stark contrast between Turkey’s historical sites—once built in harmony with nature through sacred beliefs—and the relentless destruction caused by capitalist overconstruction and resource extraction. By repurposing waste materials from the current industry into ritualistic-like architectural forms, the artist reclaims the need for building with respect and in alignment with higher values, such as reverence for nature, spiritual connection, and cultural preservation.

 

James’ early artistic journey reflects a personal duality—one rooted in his druidic and Celtic heritage, witnessing the fading of Christian traditions in his generation, and the other immersed in modernity, thriving on technology and contemporary existence. Drawing inspiration from Joseph Beuys' "Transformer" concept, he has explored how material technologies influence cultural and spiritual practices.

This is best presented in his "Celtica" series, where he expresses his heritage through performance, sculpture, and lens-based media.

 

His personal statement on the Transformer methodology reads:

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"I see coherent threads through my work; they live in every medium I engage with. All threads weave to become artwork. Finding them could be a spirituality for me. I see myself not as an artist, but as someone who has tapped into something—art flows through me, through my hands. I become a transformer through performance, reaching states inwards and outwards. Sculpture and photography capture these experiences and processes, using poetry to communicate a human being following something symbolic—a true twin of life, following something sacred and archaic, a true perspective-bender: Art."

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James’ practice expanded into design during his time at the Royal College of Art, where he collaborated extensively throughout his two-year MA. During this period, he worked alongside artists, designers, scientists, and material engineers, forming the collective utopia Mycotopia to compete in London’s 2018 Biodesign Challenge. This immersion in biodesign as a technological and artistic medium led him to integrate it into his research, particularly in response to cultural and educational issues. He is currently leading Ecology of Inspiration, a research project in collaboration with three alternative schools in Bodrum, Türkiye. Through this project, he explores collective reimagining of education and ways of living (hierarchy structures), incorporating natural systems—especially mycorrhizal networks—ultimately shaping the future work Royal College of Fungi. The first goal of the RCF is to produce a cultural tool-kit.

James currently works between his studios in Oxford and Istanbul, producing site-specific sculptural installations for solo and group exhibitions, festivals, and joins regular international residencies.