James Payne

James Payne is an art historian, curator, writer, and filmmaker best known as the creator and presenter of Great Art Explained, the acclaimed YouTube series that makes art history accessible to millions. Trained at Central Saint Martins, he ran a contemporary art gallery in East London before turning to storytelling and film. His work combines scholarship and cinematic narrative to explore how biography, context, and symbolism shape iconic artworks—from Leonardo and Michelangelo to Kahlo, Basquiat, and Kusama. His debut book, Great Art Explained, expands this mission, revealing the stories, techniques, and historical forces behind masterpieces across centuries—and making art engaging, intelligent, and available to everyone.