JAMES CORBETT
After the Past
JAN 3 - 17, 2025
Opening Reception
Friday, Jan 3, 4 - 7pm
 

CODA Gallery is pleased to present "After the Past," an exhibition of the extraordinary sculpture of Australian artist, James Corbett.  Please join us for the opening reception on Friday, January 3, 4 - 7 pm, during El Paseo's First Friday Art Walk.

James Corbett has been creating remarkably lifelike sculptures since 1998, transforming discarded automotive parts into stunning works of art. Once the owner of a specialist motor wrecking business in Brisbane, Australia, James began his artistic journey on a rainy afternoon, welding together scrap metal as an experiment. His first piece, displayed on his shop counter, garnered immediate acclaim, inspiring him to create more.

By 1999, James held his first exhibition at a motoring-themed café, marking the start of a celebrated career. His works gained widespread recognition, leading to multiple exhibitions, including a stint as the guest artist at the Brisbane International Motor Show for three consecutive years. In 2000, James and his wife Jodie decided to close the wrecking business to focus entirely on his art. International opportunities soon followed, including an invitation to the Essen Motor Show in Germany and successful solo exhibitions in England, America, and across Australia. Now, with After the Past, James invites you to explore his evolving vision—where nostalgia and creativity meet to celebrate the beauty in reinvention.

James’ sculptures have been commissioned by major corporations and are featured in private collections worldwide, yet his work remains accessible and beloved by audiences everywhere. His unique creations continue to inspire, with art students critiquing his pieces and admirers sending messages from across the globe.

I’d like to think my work will stand as both pleasing sculptures and intriguing time capsules from the era of the motor vehicle. -- James Corbett

During the reception, enjoy a wine bar featuring organic wines and other beverages, with proceeds benefiting Angel View, a Coachella Valley nonprofit dedicated to serving children and adults with disabilities. A portion of the evening’s art sales will be donated to support Angel View, founded in 1954 at a natural hot mineral water spring in Desert Hot Springs.