BIO
Born in Chicago, USA, Jim Donahue is an artist based in Brooklyn, New York. His multidisciplinary practice has included sculpture, film, and, most recently, a dedicated focus on painting.
Donahue studied sculpture at the University of Brighton in England (1973–74) and earned his BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1975. He was an active participant in the vibrant art and music scenes of the San Francisco Bay Area during the mid to late 1970s. Following a solo exhibition at the renowned Dana Reich Gallery in San Francisco (1981), he relocated to New York City and established his studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 1986.
His public art includes permanent sculptures in both the Netherlands and New York City.
In addition to his fine art practice, Donahue studied scenic design at Parsons School of Design (1994–95) and joined United Scenic Artists Local 829 in 1996. He has worked extensively as an art director and scenic painter on numerous acclaimed film and television productions. Notable credits include Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), Warrior(2011), and Succession (2018–2019). He received an Emmy nomination for Best Art Direction for the film Taking Chance(2009).
Donahue’s current work is centered on painting, where his experience across disciplines continues to inform a richly layered and evolving visual language.
Exhibitions
2025
Flotsam and Jetsam Reconsidered, 490 Atlantic Gallery, Brooklyn, Ny
What Are You Worried About? (An Exhibition), RCCD Gallery Emeryville, Ca.
2024
Conversations, Helm Contemporary, NY, NY
Salon des Refusé, BWAC, Brooklyn, NY
Among Friends, Metaphor Projects, Brooklyn, NY
2018
Sideshow Gallery, The Greatest Show on Earth, Brooklyn, NY
2017
Shorts in the Slope Film Festvel, Brooklyn NY
Talking Pictures Gallery, 1st Invitational, Brooklyn, NY
Sideshow Gallery, Thru the Rabbit Hole, Brooklyn, NY
Centotto Gallery, ‘NOMANColorATURE’ Brooklyn, NY
Sideshow Gallery, Circle the Wagons, Brooklyn NY
2015
Centotto Gallery, ‘Thrice Legendary Forever Thens’
Brooklyn,NY
2014
Full House, Painters in conversation MSP & NYC, Saint Paul, Mn.
2006
Vision Festival, Synagogue for the arts, NY, NY
1994
The Police Building Gallery Space, Out of Line, NY, NY
1991
Focus Holland International, Utrecht, The Netherlands
1992
55 Ferris street, curated by Frederieke Taylor, Brooklyn, NY
1993
Socrates Sculpture Park, 50/NY/93, Queens, NY
Jessica Berwind Gallery, Drawings from 55 Ferris Street, Philadelphia, PA
Wynn Kramarsky Gallery, Drawings from 55 Ferris Street, NY, NY
Tribeca 148 Gallery, Specific Objects, Ny, NY
1989
Lafayette College, Williams Art Center, Made in New York, Easton, Pa.
1988
Chain Reaction 5, San Francisco Arts Commision Gallery, San Francisco, Ca.
Kenmare Square Installation Site, Sponsored by LMCC NY, NY
1983
Image / Abstract, 38 Crosby St. NY, NY
1981
Dana Reich Gallery, San Francisco, Ca.
1981 Solo Show
Dana Reich Gallery, San Francisco, Ca
Related work and awards
Artists Space / Individual artist grant, 1985
Emmy Nominee Best Art Direction, Taking Chance, HBO films, 2009
Filmography: IMDB as James Donahue III
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0231950/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr
Thomas Albright, San Francisco Chronical, Feb.1981 James Donahue at Dana Riech Gallery "Perversly Elegant Constructions"