He has participated in many exhibitions in New Zealand and Australia as well as internationally. In 1981 Ross began to generate shaped painting supports that were not dependent on the right angle. His work has evolved through a number of formats that range from the organic through to the rhomboidal, although the basic content and concerns have remained consistent. James Ross also has an on-going involvement with graphic media such as lithography and etching. In 1993 he was involved with the Youth Print Programme by Muka Press, Auckland and in September 2000 worked with Bartolomeu dos Santos in Tavira, Portugal.