In September 2024, James spent three weeks in the USA (North Adams, Massachussetts and Chicago, Illinois) with the focus of expanding his Jimmy Mack cosmos beyond Scotland to address international themes such as greed and the abuse of power, and to operate in a different cultural context and present his work to an American audience. The varied work that he made in America encompasses painting, writing, and drawing, and is a supplement to Jimmy Mack the Shapeshifting Jester. It builds loosely on the premise that somehow Jimmy Mack has escaped The Auld Reekie Echo Chamber and has made it to the USA. James seems to have developed an interest in iconic kitsch Americana artist Norman Rockwell across the work, although we wonder how sincere this interest is, and whether he is using Rockwell as a device to examine America. Jimmy Loves America and America Loves Jimmy was generously supported by Creative Scotland.
