The Man Behind the Magic: The James Dupree Story

For as long as he could remember, James Dupree knew himself to be an artist. 60+ years into his career, his catalog cements him as one of the greatest visionaries of our time. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Dupree's art and influence are woven throughout the City of Brotherly Love and have reached audiences around the globe. Remarkably, at 74, he shows no signs of slowing down.

Growing up in the Philly projects, the lack of resources stifled a precocious Dupree. This prompted Dupree to move with his grandparents, providing him access to higher-quality education and opportunities. The pivotal change also meant adjusting to life at a predominantly white school, where he coped with humor, becoming the class clown to gain attention.

He became a frequent visitor of the detention room which ironically doubled as the school’s art space. There, he quickly honed his talents, developing a style that married sharpened technical mastery with raw, soulful expression.

He was faced with a vexing conundrum, however. Patrons who loved his art held presumptions about the person behind the magic and were shocked to find a Black man behind it. This caused strife between Dupree and his audience, festering anger and resentment that charged his work for a period of time. Eventually, he left Philly behind for his own sanity and currently resides in Lambertville, NJ.

Dupree is now launching his new renaissance, redefining his ethos as an artist and taking back his power for the divine plans he has in store. No longer fueled by anger, Dupree proudly proclaims to be working through God. This era involves him redirecting his energy towards scales of grandeur befitting the magnitude of his visions.

Included in this are plans to turn his renovated New Hope home into a museum displaying the breadth of work he’s created over the decade. While exploring his home, we got to witness his work in progress, marveling at his life’s work embellished from the wall to the ceiling. While on the tour, Dupree indulged in his current project: a grounds for sculpture space furnished with mirrored surfaces featuring larger-than-life-sized installations of his works. In addition, his backyard studio is being prepared as an artist retreat, offering a space for emerging creators to refine their craft in a nurturing and inspiring environment.

James Dupree, a man who lives and breathes art, is now shaping an entire world where others can step into his vision. He invites us to experience the chaos and magic that have defined a lifetime of artistry—offering not just his work, but the journey behind it.