About this artwork
James’s career began at Kirkcaldy’s second-division Raith Rovers in 1922, but his goalscoring abilities soon attracted the attention of English league clubs and he was signed by Preston North End three seasons later. In 1928 he was a member of the ‘Wembley wizards’ Scotland team that beat England 5-1. Anxious to cash in on his fame, James more or less forced his own transfer to Arsenal, with whom he won the league four times. He was a prolific spender and made Arsenal circumvent the maximum wage rule of £8 a week by signing for additional employment as a ‘sports demonstrator’ at Selfridge’s department store. Part of the ‘Scotland’s Dream Team’ commission, this work appears based on a photograph of James in the capacity of reserve team coach at Arsenal after the Second World War.
Updated before 2020
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artist:Mark I'Anson (born 1968) Scottish
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title:Alex James, 1901 - 1953. Footballer
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date created:2003
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materials:Mixed media on paper
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measurements:142.00 x 173.00 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Commissioned 2003
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accession number:PG 3345
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gallery:
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Mark I'Anson
Mark I'Anson
Mark I'Anson studied at Grays School of Art, Aberdeen, from 1988 to 92. Since then his work has appeared in group and solo exhibitions. His prefered medium is pencil, sometimes sparingly tinted with watercolour or acrylic. In 2003 he completed a major commission for the Scottish National Portrait...