James Case-Leal is a recent Columbia MFA graduate and one-time archivist for David Byrne who now works in a space upstate. It’s here that he creates his art, often rainbow flashes on black canvas that are physically demanding to create. “It’s something like exercise,” Case-Leal says of the labor-intensive process, one that involves using an industrial automobile buffer to scrub the linen after every application of paint.
His newest creations are warmer, yellow-based sunshines. "Maybe the rainbows are more personal like a mirror and the sun is everything and everyone else,” he says. "Warm, inviting, and far away.”
We could use a little of that right now.
I also asked him about the rest of his graduating class.
"When I was at school I was completely consumed with isolated studio work," he says "Regrettably, I didn't connect with my classmates as much as I would have liked, many of whom are remarkably talented artists.
A few notables: Ben Hagari's films are so weird and good. Shahar Yahalom is brilliant and gives ZERO fucks, which I envy. And every Bruno Pagocnik work feels like a growth from another planet. All very exciting."![]()
James wears the Christopher Kane Gradient Pages Print Hoodie in red
His newest creations are warmer, yellow-based sunshines. "Maybe the rainbows are more personal like a mirror and the sun is everything and everyone else,” he says. "Warm, inviting, and far away.”
We could use a little of that right now.
I also asked him about the rest of his graduating class.
"When I was at school I was completely consumed with isolated studio work," he says "Regrettably, I didn't connect with my classmates as much as I would have liked, many of whom are remarkably talented artists.
A few notables: Ben Hagari's films are so weird and good. Shahar Yahalom is brilliant and gives ZERO fucks, which I envy. And every Bruno Pagocnik work feels like a growth from another planet. All very exciting."
James wears the Christopher Kane Gradient Pages Print Hoodie in red