James Rielly was born in 1956 in Wrexham, Wales. His artistic journey led him to study at the Gloucester College of Art and Design and the Belfast College of Art, where he honed his distinctive style. Over the years, Rielly has received multiple awards and grants, evidencing his significant impact on contemporary art. His career is marked by numerous solo exhibitions at prestigious institutions such as CAC Malaga and Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nantes, and he has actively contributed to major group shows, including the renowned "Sensation" exhibition sponsored by Saatchi.
Rielly's art delves into the subtleties of human experiences, using a palette that combines both vivid and pastel tones to depict scenes that straddle the line between the real and the surreal. His works are particularly noted for their emotional depth and the recurring motif of eyes, which serve as a window to the soul and a mirror of society. Rielly's approach invites viewers to explore beneath the surface of the artwork, engaging with themes of visibility, identity, and the human condition.
His contributions to the art world extend beyond his canvases, as his works are held in numerous esteemed collections globally, including the Tate Gallery and the Centre Pompidou. James Rielly continues to live and work between Paris and the south of France, influencing and inspiring a new generation of artists and collectors with his visionary approach to contemporary art.