SYDNEY G. JAMES
“My ‘why’ has been to focus on the state of black women in this country, and it’s translating, really, to all women, all over the world.”
A video profile by Annie Terrazzo
Through her large-scale murals, Sydney G. James celebrates female empowerment and addresses issues of social injustice. In this moment of change and unrest, James’ voice feels especially impactful.
Detroit-bred artist Sydney G. James earned her BFA with a concentration in illustration from the College of Creative Studies. She began her career as an art director in the advertising industry before moving to Los Angeles in 2004, where she worked in the Film and Television Industry and earned her masters degree in Secondary Arts Education. In 2011, James returned to Detroit to focus on her art practice, and has since emerged as a leading agent of creative change. Sydney has participated in numerous community arts projects, and completed a number of large-scale mural works in Detroit, New Orleans, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Honolulu, and Ghana.
James approaches every project with the intent to evoke emotion and inspire positive change.
Dan Golden