Marx James
Curator | Creative Producer | Founder of Imaginative Reaction CIC
Marcus is a dedicated curator and producer, who over the past year,
has brought the hidden legacy of outsider artist Nick Fraser (1946–2023)
into the public eye.
My Story
Marcus O’Shaughnessy is a multidisciplinary creative, curator, and music producer whose passion lies in storytelling through visual and sonic expression. He is the founder of Imaginative Reaction CIC,
a growing creative platform designed to elevate emerging, outsider, and underrepresented artists
through collaboration, curation, and community.
In 2023, Marcus stepped into the art world to honour the legacy of the late Nick Fraser (1946–2023)
a visionary outsider artist from East London. As the appointed custodian of Fraser’s vast and previously unseen collection, Marcus curated the critically acclaimed debut exhibition “Nick Fraser: Chapter One”
at The Crypt Gallery, London. The show received national attention, was featured in RAW Vision Magazine, and has since opened doors for wider recognition of Fraser’s work.
Alongside his curatorial practice, Marcus has spent years producing music and working with independent artists to help them develop their sound and creative identity. His support extends beyond production, nurturing the artistic journey, facilitating meaningful performances, and creating space for experimental collaboration. Notably, he has worked closely with artist BoThai, whose music has accompanied many of the live exhibitions and films throughout the Nick Fraser project.
Recognising the need for a dedicated platform to bridge creative communities, Marcus launched Imaginative Reaction as both a digital space and a real-world movement, empowering artists of all backgrounds to share their work, tell their stories, and connect through creative expression.
His vision is rooted in authenticity, collaboration, and the belief that art, in all its forms has the power to spark meaningful change.
Gallery
Marx James Spotify
Nick Fraser
Chapter 1
Exhibition Film
As part of my curatorial journey with Nick Fraser: Chapter One, I felt it was vital to bring not only the artwork to light, but the man behind it. This film is a labour of love, built from archival footage recorded by my father,
Mark O’Shaughnessy, who documented his close friendship with Nick over 30 years ago. These intimate moments captured on a handheld camcorder offer a rare and authentic window into Nick’s world. His artistic process, his philosophies, and the raw truth of his everyday life.
Decades later, I took on the role of editing this footage, crafting it into a film that would accompany the debut exhibition at The Crypt Gallery. The result is a moving tribute, a multi-generational collaboration that bridges time, memory, and legacy. It stands as a testament to Nick’s quiet brilliance, my father’s belief in his work, and the continuation of that journey through me.
The film was screened throughout the exhibition and resonated deeply with visitors, bringing context, connection and emotional depth to Nick Fraser’s body of work.