James Wieneke studied at Brisbane’s Central Technical College and, in 1932, won the College’s Godfrey Rivers Medal and Prize. In 1933, he visited western Queensland and his sketches from the trip were published widely. Wieneke subsequently worked as a graphic designer, illustrator and signwriter. He joined the Half Dozen Group of Artists in 1941, shortly after its formation, and was included in its first exhibition.

From 1942 to 1946, Wieneke served with the 2nd AIF (Australian Imperial Force) Royal Australian Engineers. As a sergeant with the 6th Division, he fought in Papua New Guinea and subsequently published 6th Div. Sketches: Aitape to Wewak (1946), to much acclaim.

Wieneke was a member of the Brisbane Art Group, which included Vera Leichney, and the Marburg Group, along with Charles Lancaster and Frank Sherrin (both groups active 1940s–50s). Wieneke’s light-filled watercolours reflect his traditional stance and the artists he represented while director of the Moreton Galleries (1950–67) were also considered conservative. As such, his appointment as director of the Queensland Art Gallery in 1967 was met with dissent, with trustees Daphne Mayo and Professor RP Cummings resigning in protest.