Hello, Let me introduce myself: my name is James Scudamore. You might be forgiven for thinking that my background is English or indeed Scottish. Actually my parents (of Greek origin) christened me Demetris, but somewhere along the way I became James, just as my forefathers had become Scudamores. Forced to leave Asia Minor (Smyrna) in 1922 then struggling as a refugee to make a living, it is easy to understand my father’s desire to fit in. His ancestors had changed their patriarchal name, probably, to do just that. I have no idea what my family’s original Greek surname was, but should this worry me? Well, it’s a bit of a difficult one to solve now, yet I think this is where my artistic roots lie, in my ability to not conform; in the many questions that are left unanswered, in the many colours and searches that I undertake in my art work to make meaning of my/our journey through life.
