About Jim Lambie
Born 1964. Jim Lambie is a British and Scottish artist, draftsperson, painter and visual artist.
James Lambie (born 1964 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a contemporary visual artist, and was shortlisted for the 2005 Turner Prize with an installation called Mental Oyster.
Jim Lambie graduated from the Glasgow School of Art (1990-1994) with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree. He lives and works in Glasgow, and also operates as a musician and DJ. With Norman Blake, Lambie formed the Glaswegian band The Boy Hairdressers, which went on to become Teenage Fanclub.
Lambie was responsible for the filming of the now legendary 1980's 'Splash One' club in Glasgow. This rare footage has emerged on various television programmes and in films about the independent music scene in Scotland during the eighties. Most recently 'Teenage Superstars' directed by the filmmaker Grant McPhee, which surveyed bands from the alternative pop music scene in Glasgow from the mid 80's to early 90's.
Style
“..Known for visually compelling, generous and beguiling work which attracts both popular and critical acclaim, Lambie came to prominence with Zobop, a floor-based sculptural intervention that consists of continuous lines of multi-coloured vinyl tape laid in concentric circuits of a room from its outside edges to its centre..." MutualArt article
- The Fruitmarket Gallery
Lambie specialises in colourful sculptural installations made from everyday modern materials including pop culture objects, such as posters and album covers, and household accessories. The other trademark theme in his artistic practice is using brightly coloured vinyl tape arranged into patterns around the floor of the gallery space, tracing the shape of the room to reveal the idiosyncrasies of its architecture.
In addition to his floor installations, Lambie creates found object sculptures, wall works, paintings and film.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Jim Lambie's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Jim Lambie's
Frequently asked questions
Who is Jim Lambie?
British artist (born 1964)
When was Jim Lambie born?
Jim Lambie was born in 1964 in Glasgow.
What is Jim Lambie's occupation?
Jim Lambie is an artist, draftsperson, painter and visual artist.
What nationality is Jim Lambie?
Jim Lambie is British and Scottish.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jim Lambie. https://biography.guide/jim-lambie/
MLA: "Jim Lambie." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jim-lambie/.
Chicago: "Jim Lambie." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jim-lambie/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:07 UTC