About James

James interprets architecture and interiors in a photographic style that critics often call "classic" "luminous" and "haunting."

The Manhattan-based photographer attended The Rhode Island School of Design, where he received the college's top honor, The Bo Bernstein Prize, for his photo essay, "Vanished Long Island." Documenting threatened historic places "with an immediacy and eloquence not attainable in any other media," (Municipal Art Society of New York), James soon attracted patronage from The Conservation Fund, American National Heritage Areas, Historic Hudson Valley and the Rockefeller family.

Since settling in Greenwich Village - home to generations of Bleeckers - the photographer has received major commissions from The Frick Collection, The American Museum of Natural History, The Morgan Library and The Bank of New York. James's work is featured in a 357 page hardcover book, Tuxedo Park: The Historic Houses (Tuxedo Historical Society, 2007).

The artist divides his time between commissions, commercial assignments and fine art photography. His advertising work appears regularly in Architectural Digest. Internationally, he is represented by the Allen Sheppard Gallery.


Reviews

Bleecker’s work is powerful and mature. Technically perfect and rigorously composed, his photographs can reduce you to tears by their beauty.

– Edgar Munhall, Curator Emeritus, The Frick Collection


James's work communicates the importance of historic preservation with an immediacy and eloquence not attainable in any other media.

– Municipal Art Society


Bleecker is a fresh voice in photography. Just as Lee Friedlander and Diane Arbus redefined social documentary photography in the 1960s, Bleecker examines and redefines how we look at the city in this century.

– Leonard Majzlin APMS, New York University


Resume

Education:
Rhode Island School of Design, 1982, BFA in graphic design.
Graduated with Bo Bernstein Award for Excellence in Design.

Selected collections and installations:
The Pierpont Morgan Library (permanent installation)
The Frick Collection (permanent installation)
American Museum of Natural History (temporary installation)
The Bank of New York (permanent installation)
Baltimore Museum of Art (temporary installation)
Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY (permanent collection)
Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, NY (permanent collection)
The Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA (permanent collection)

Selected shows:
High Line, Allen Sheppard Gallery, 2008 (solo show)
Iconic, Allen Sheppard Gallery, 2006 (solo show)
The Berkshire Museum, Great Barrington, MA, 2004 (group show)
Paul Mellon Art Center, Choate School, Wallingford, CT, 2004 (group show)
Lascano Gallery, Great Barryington, MA, 2005 (solo show)
Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, NY, 2004 (group show)
Naples Museum of Art, Naples, FL, 2002 (group show)
Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY, 2001 (solo show)

Recent projects:
Tuxedo Park: The Historic Houses, Tuxedo Historical Society 2006: 384 page book about a Gilded Age enclave in Orange County, New York
Ghost Town, 2008: Photographs featured in the 2008 Dreamworks film starring Ricky Gervais and Tea Leoni
ASMPNY (American Society of Media Photographers), 2009: Served as critic at annual portfolio review
The National Arts Club, New York, 2009: Featured presenter for New Romanticism in Architectural Photography
New York Social Diary, November 2009: subject of a feature interview