Merlin James (born 1960 in Cardiff, Wales)[1] is an artist living and working in Glasgow, Scotland.
Of roughly the same generation as the Young British Artists, James is perhaps unusual in making work on the model of the traditional easel picture.
[1] It frequently takes the form of small-scale paintings on stretched canvas or polyester, sometimes incorporating artist-made frames.
As a critic Merlin James has published widely, including many articles and contributions to books and catalogues.
In 2002 he became the first to hold the Alex Katz Visiting Chair in Painting at Cooper Union.