It is with profound sadness that we share the sudden passing of James Darling, a deeply respected artist whose work has left an indelible mark on the arts community.
As partners in life and artistic collaborators, James Darling and Lesley Forwood created monumental and ephemeral installations using mallee roots collected and conserved on their Duck Island property in the South-East of South Australia.
Their installations, which engaged with themes of ecology, land management, and the Australian rural experience, have been exhibited across Australia and Internationally including the Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide; Pori Art Museum, Finland; Centro Culturale Conde Duque, Madrid; La Defense, Paris Summer Festival, Paris; The Esplanade, Singapore; Setouchi International Arts Festival, Japan.
In 2018 they presented ‘Living Rocks: A Fragment of the Universe’, at Hugo Michell Gallery, Adelaide, which went on to represent Australia at the 2019 Venice Biennale, Italy as an official collateral event and in 2022 it was restaged at the ZKM Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe, Germany.
In addition to his artistic contributions, James was a passionate supporter and dedicated patron of the arts; deeply committed to encouraging creative talent and celebrating the power of art.
“James’ impact on the arts has been profound and his personal friendship and support have been pivotal in my career from a very early stage.
He was a unique and singular individual, whose vibrant personality cannot be captured in just few words.
His tenacious passion for creative practice extends beyond his own international profile, to that of supporting others. A champion of the arts and a generous soul, his wit and cheekiness has absolutely left a lasting impression. I am honoured to have called him a friend.” – Hugo Michell
While our hearts are broken, our thoughts are with Lesley, James’ family, his friends, and all those who have been touched by his work and generosity of spirit. His activism, artistic ingenuity, and passionate interest in conservation will be remembered by all who had the privilege to know him and experience his work.
Pictured: Selected works by James Darling & Lesley Forwood, courtesy the artists and Hugo Michell Gallery