Meet The Artist

Joseph "Joe" James

October 23, 1936 - May 26, 2018
Echoes of Brilliance: Commemorating the Artistic Journey of Joe James

Joe James

Brushstrokes of Destiny...

Joseph James was born in Kingston, Jamaica to Frank & Iris James, the youngest of three and was raised in the hills of St Ann. Joe exhibited artistic talent from youth and flourished with great support from his mother. His professional academic journey started when he enrolled into the Edna Manley College of the Visual of Performing Arts in Kingston, Jamaica. At the tender age of eighteen he was then accepted into the prestigious St Martins School of Art in London, England where he relocated along with his older brother Fitz. There Joe studied and grew as an artist, inspired heavily by one of his favorites the famous Michelangelo of whom he completed his final thesis on. He went on to graduate and spend the next 12 years of his life travelling across Europe attending art shows and doing exhibitions.In 1966, he planned a long overdue visit to his home island of Jamaica and received an honorable welcome upon his arrival which empowered him to make the decision to not return to England and share his talents with his country. At once, Joe set out to leave his mark on the Jamaican landscape. He settled in Limehall, St Ann's Bay while doing exhibitions at the National Gallery of Jamaica and showings at private homes. That same year he opened his first gallery in Runaway Bay, St Ann not far from his home. As it grew in success, he then set sights on a bigger space. He travelled along the North Coast from Limehall to Lucea looking for a new home when he came across a small quiet fishing village by the name of Rio Bueno in the parish of Trelawny

Joe pictured with Queen Elizabeth at a impromptu audience during one of her visits to Jamaica
Joe at one of his exhibitions at the Kingston & St Andrew Parish Library in 1967

Joe James

Legacy Unfolds....

The next 10 years ( 1966 - 1976) he spent building his business directly across from the now permanent home of Gallery Joe James Ltd. In 1966 he met his wife Joyce " Joy" James and the two wed in 1989. Together they created the trilogy of Gallery Joe James, Lobster Bowl Restaurant and in 1992 Hotel Rio Bueno. During this time he opened three gallery/craft shop locations in the St James parish ( Union St - Montego Bay, Holiday Village- Montego Bay & Half Moon Hotel), which he later sold.Even as a successful business owner Joe never lost sight of his passion to create and taught art for a year at the popular all girls high school Westwood High School. Many aspiring local and international artists visited him seeking direction. Joe James held many titles and attained heights in his career but most significantly was his lifetime achievement award from Broward County, Florida in 2002. In 2018 the artist transitioned overseas and was laid to rest at his home in Rio Bueno, Trelawny. He is survived by his wife Joy, 10 children, 2 stepchildren, 29 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.Joe's art is owned by many local and international collectors as well as for public viewing in the National Gallery of Jamaica, the Bank of England and of course the Gallery Joe James. In 2024 a new museum experience is coming to the gallery, containing many never before seen pieces and final works.