James Straffon (b. 1966) is a London-based artist whose work explores the intersection of the natural world and urban life. Beginning as a graphic designer, he shifted focus to street art and ecological projects, creating public, free-to-view imagery that engages audiences with issues of conservation, biodiversity, and climate change.
Paul Smith Space presents three works from Straffon's series Readings from The Barometer of Life, which depict endangered species through a unique translation of IUCN Red List data into graphic ciphers. Layered with mixed media—found textiles, paint, plastic, and ghost netting—these works reflect humanity's complex impact on the planet. Drawing on the Japanese principles of Boro (repair) and Mottainai (regret over waste), Straffon weaves discarded materials and natural motifs into compositions that are both a lament for species loss and a call to action, highlighting the urgency of conservation in an era of mass extinction.
All artwork, text and images © James Straffon 2025.