James Thurman

Denton, Texas
    
Curriculum Vitae

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

@jamesathurman

Website

 Artist Statement

For over twenty-five years, I have been exploring a process of using eco-resin to create a composite material made of layered recycled paper, now called “Thurmanite®.” Throughout human history, we have adorned ourselves with materials found in our surroundings and I am interested in continuing that tradition through the use of recycled materials. Even before my work began with Thurmanite®, I was drawn to creating rotational and radial forms in my studio work, eventually leading to my Certification as a machinist. I’ve continued the utilize lathework in my studio, creating either entirely lathe-made finished vessels and plates, or smaller components that are incorporated into my wearable jewelry. My more recent work is more narrative and includes miniature figures that I meticulously hand paint. Miniature painting was my first interest in artmaking and it has been so fulfilling to return to it after decades.

Material Revelation Exhibit

Tectonic Necklace
$300

Thurmanite grid of atlas-index composite), sterling, microhardware
1.75" x 1.75" x .5"
2015

Larger Image

Layered Synergy
$350

Thurmanite, Damascus, microhardware, screw-in pin finding
2 x 2 x .5"
2012

Larger Image

Traces series: Vessel with wearable brooch lid: “Text”
$500

Spun pewter, lathe-turned Thurmanite, wood, silver
3” x 2.75” x 2.75”
2019

Larger Image

Suite: Shahmaran's Love Potion
$1,200

Thurmanite®, powdercoated spun copper, brass microhardware, painted miniature (Reaper 3888 sculpted by Chris Lewis), sterling silver
5.5" x 5.5" x 5"
2023

Larger Image

Wedded Brooch
$300

Thurmanite, enamel, silver hardware
2.25" x 1 7/8" x 3/8"
2013

Larger Image

Bio

James Thurman is a Professor of Metalsmithing & Jewelry at the University of North Texas’ College of Visual Arts & Design. He received his MFA in Metalsmithing from the Cranbrook Academy of Art and his BFA in Sculpture from Carnegie Mellon University. A three-time Fulbright Specialist Scholar, he worked in Istanbul, Turkey, with Kadir Has University in 2012, the Glass Furnace Foundation in 2016, and Birmingham City University in 2024. A prolific and highly active studio artist for over twenty-five years, his work has been included in hundreds of national and international curated and juried exhibitions as well as numerous solo exhibitions. In addition to the exhibition of his work, James regularly lectures and gives workshops about his work and the unique technical aspects of his studio production, including a laminated composite material he developed, “Thurmanite.” Previous venues have included Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Penland School of Crafts, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, and the Yuma Symposium.

Thank you to Hilliard Family Foundation Inc. for sponsoring Material Revelation