The Ballacolla road in Abbeyleix was the unlikely backdrop for the creation of most of the work in make-up artist (MUA) James MacInerney’s fantastical exhibition ‘Make-Up Art’ which is now running at the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise.
Moving back from London to his parents’ Bernie Moloney and Tony MacInerney’s home during the Covid 19 pandemic, James started to unleash his creativity to create the 20 looks in the collection which tell a multitude of stories.
“When we talk about make-up, so often it’s about what the latest fashion trends, red carpet, film and beauty industry regimes are about,” he said in the booklet which accompanies the spectacular exhibition.
“Almost all the gallery images are self-portraits that I shot myself. There are only two images that are models. ‘Ice Crown’ is modelled by Viola Gayvis, with the head piece by Paul Mac Special.
‘Make-Up X Art 1’ is modelled by Diamon Phil, shot by Becca Green, with headpiece again by Paul Mac Special. The photos are true to their moment captures.
There is no Artificial Intelligence (AI) or edits to the make-up or composition,” said James at the launch in the Dunamaise Centre recently.
“In viewing these art works, you’re also gaining an insight into my own story as a queer Irish person living with Tourette’s syndrome.
“Make-up has been a unique outlet for dealing with my own particular circumstances through escapism, through healing, through creativity,” said James.
“Some years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined my role as make-up artist having a gallery display of work to date. As creatives, we seek to discover what’s not necessarily obvious to the untrained eye,” James said.
He loved art and design from a young age in primary school and into third level. “My family and cousins loved visiting art galleries and partaking in summer workshops.
“I’m grateful to be surrounded by wildlife and forestry in Laois, as nature has always been a big inspiration for my work.”
Growing up gay, closeted, and developing Tourette’s syndrome felt like a double-whammy, he acknowledged.
“We all search to feel safe and accepted among society to a large degree, especially during those tender teenage years. I found it challenging with a physically noticeable tic, where I stood out initially for the wrong reasons during school.
“Time, valuable life experiences to date and a huge support network has helped me embrace the differences and individual parts of me now that are seen as a sign of strength.”
Third level was liberating in many ways. “I found a safe space to come out, I embraced my creativity with make-up and let myself ask more questions about what I wanted to do and essentially who was I becoming,” James said.
“I met a wider network of peers, artists, friends and people who would lend me their time to learn more about the world, society and understanding what really matters in life.
“Your own perception of life is valid and people are inspired to see and hear things from another person’s point of view. This helped me embrace wanting to pursue a career in make-up artistry.”
After graduating from Dublin City University (DCU) with a Bachelor of Science in multimedia, he stayed in Dublin for two years, working as a freelance photographer, running his own business ‘Foto Mac’.
“I worked as a wedding photographer, photographed corporate events, took headshots and eventually sought out nightlife photography which brought me more into the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender, Queer Questioning Intersex) spaces and communities. These two years were vital, helping me bridge into the world I’m now a part of.”
A glittering career got underway after he trained in the former Vanity X Make-Up Academy and Studio College in Dublin, receiving a level 3 ITEC diploma in theatre, SFX, TV/film and fashion make-up.
“I was working a part-time café job in Ranelagh, Dublin, where one of our regular customers was Amy Huberman. She was writing the first season of her RTÉ series ‘Finding Joy’.
“I asked about work experience in the make-up department during filming. She offered me a placement with the make-up designer on set and we hit it off straight away.
“I was asked to join the make-up team for the children’s BBC hit series ‘Horrible Histories’ in the UK in autumn 2018. I jumped at the opportunity and moved to London.
“As the saying goes, the rest is history. I moved to the UK full-time in 2019 and continued working in TV/film, working my way up as a make-up trainee,” James recalled.
“I was very fortunate to land some exciting jobs in 2019 before applying for season two of Glow Up – the Netflix/BBC series – in summer 2019 in which I was a finalist.
“One moment that always stands out is assisting one of David Bowie’s make-up artists from the ‘90s/‘00s while I was working on a special Alzheimer’s UK campaign video for the FA World Cup, titled ‘Looking Back’.
“We were recreating scenes from the 1969 World Cup summer, getting to do lots of period ‘60s make-up. The people on set made me realise this is where I wanted to be.
“I applied to Glow Up on my lunch break, and got a call back the next week. I’ll never forget the feeling of hope and my instinct to give this opportunity my best shot. That feeling itself is a memory I’ll always treasure.”
James was also a guest judge for RTE’s Glow Up Ireland, hosted by Maura Higgins.
The Laois native has worked worldwide as senior professional for global brands including L’Oreal at Paris Fashion Week, MAC Cosmetics in Los Angeles and London fashion weeks and YSL Beauté in Marrakesh, Morocco.
He is now creative director of his own company, designing make-up for campaigns, his most recent being the social Pride campaign for Tesco UK.
“I am fortunate to have also faced online campaigns for Jean Paul Gautier, Samsung and Boots UK over recent years.
“Currently, I train and perform live demos across the UK with the Professional Beauty Group UK and was an international guest at the New York Make-up Show in May 2023.
“I have worked as a MUA on TV and film productions for Netflix, HBO, SKY TV, ITV, Chanel 4 and BBC.”
James is the senior head of creative and editorial artistry at the Aliya Baig Academy of Make-Up in Hyderabad, India.
In 2023 he was awarded most outstanding senior faculty member at the academy which is part of the International Make-up Association. “Teaching there is a highlight, a professional experience and cultural exchange like no other.
“I love travelling for work and feeling like make-up and its artistry is making a difference. I teach to 20-25 students for a special week’s training, once per term every spring and autumn. This is an experience like no other to date which I’m hugely grateful for.”
Celebrity clientele in recent years include: Kate Moss, Eva Longoria, Doctor Who and ‘Heartstopper’ star Yasmin Finney and cast members of RuPaul’s Drag Race US and UK.
Always inspired by the great outdoors, James enjoys learning to replicate structure and natural designs using materials and textiles in his work.
“Socially, the Blitz Kids’ Club Movement of the late ‘80s and the early New Romantics era – early Vivienne Westwood – have been hugely influential to my creative style.
“Visiting art galleries and having an interest in art history has always lent inspiration to my creative thinking. Two notable artists for me have been Yevonde Middleton and Yayoi Kusama.
He is a cousin of comedian Aisling Bea. “Aisling helped secure work for me on her first Channel 4 series ‘This Way Up’ when I moved to London.
“Her sister Sinead (Kidao) was costume designer for the series. It was a special time and memory as it felt like a very safe, fun and familial working environment to be a part of.
“The real cherry was doing Aisling’s make-up for her guest judge appearance on RuPaul Drag Race UK series 4 in 2023.
“It was my first time on the set of Drag Race, a popular series which I’ve watched for years. Nothing compares to meeting Michelle Visage and getting to see RuPaul in full runway make-up, hair and outfit for the show,” said James.
Vogue magazine’s recent celebration of what it hailed as ‘disabled talent’ in the likes of Sinead Burke and Selma Blair, resonates with the Laois man.
“Trailblazers like Sinead and Selma are crucial to help de-stigmatise taboos around any one person’s physical appearance, disability – hidden or seen – or ability to achieve success.
“I’m happy that certain industries, particularly beauty and fashion, are reshaping how we define someone’s abilities, self-worth and achievements.
“Personally I think the term, ‘disabled talent’ is still being reformed. Talent is talent and the means it’s acknowledged through physical appearance is a constant societal work in progress.
“We all play a role changing our behaviours and perception of how capable any person can be,” James contended.
“I’ve experienced discrimination and rejection first hand because of my Tourettes. It takes courage, conviction and constant resilience to gain the respect and opportunities that any person deserves.
“I have learned more about my ‘superpowers’ living with Tourette’s Syndrome in the past five years compared to the 25 years I’ve experienced living with symptoms because of the broader conversations being had and the willingness to not let my circumstances define nor stop me from achieving what I want.”
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