RUNT
James Tailor
PRESS RELEASE
'Runt': A Solo Exhibition by James Tailor at Second Act Gallery
The Second Act London
Private view 14th November 2024 17:30 - 20:30
Runt
The Second Act is thrilled to announce the opening of ‘Runt,’ with assemblage artist and painter James Tailor. Opening on 14/11/2024 and running through 07/12/2024 James presents a gallery takeover through the installation of this monumental assemblage sculpture, accompanied by single painting from his ongoing series of 30 x 26cm canvases.
In its most common usage, ‘Runt’ refers to the smallest or weakest animal in a litter, often overlooked or dismissed as less significant compared to its larger, stronger siblings. This definition not only highlights the notion of being marginalised, but also evokes feelings of vulnerability and neglect.
Tailor encourages a re-evaluation of value, prompting viewers to reflect on their own perceptions of worth and identity. Through this lens, ‘Runt’ transcends its literal meaning, becoming a powerful commentary on resilience and the importance of acknowledging all voices, especially those that have been historically marginalised.
Throughout history, individuals and communities have grappled with the legacies of past experiences—traumas, triumphs, and the complexities of identity. These historical narratives often feel heavy, influencing our perceptions and interactions with the world around us. The size of Tailor's sculpture amplifies this concept, creating a physical manifestation of the emotional weight we bear either personally or as a collective. In this way, the sculpture becomes a symbol of our shared human experience. It encourages viewers to reflect not only on their individual histories but also on the larger societal narratives that shape our communities. The size of the sculpture amplifies the idea that we all carry these weights, and yet, like the materials Tailor uses, we have the potential to reshape and redefine our stories.
The exhibition invites viewers to reconsider what is often discounted or disregarded, both in the realm of art and in broader social contexts. In this way, ‘Runt’ becomes a rallying cry to recognise the beauty and significance in the overlooked, whether in art or in life.
James Tailor
Tailor’s work delves deep into the materiality of art, pushing the boundaries of traditional painting through innovative techniques the artist has developed over the past 15 years. At the heart of Tailor's practice is the artist's exploration of paint’s limitations, particularly in this exhibition, through his unique process of creating self-made paint skins. This labour-intensive method allows redefinition of the conventional use for paint. This has allowed the artist to expand beyond the traditional approach to paint through novel and unexpected modes of creation. Tailors assemblage sculptures, bring together objects which have been abandoned or deemed no longer fit for purpose. By utilising these pre-charged narratives as a starting point, Tailor culminates them into works which have a renewed identity, found materials act as if skeletal, paint becoming skin, and antique legs help metamorphosis components into something the viewer can connect with.
James Tailor explains that: ‘By using these obsolete objects as a foundation I can build something which teeters on an edge, leading to a sense of anticipation that invites a sense of hope or potential through transformation, albeit no longer the same. The interplay between these discarded materials invites viewers to consider the potential for renewal in what once seemed lost.’
Dates
Preview 14th November 17.30 - 20.30pm
Open 15th November to 7th December 11.00 - 16.00pm
Every Thursday - Saturday OR by Appointment made via 07584825281
The Second Act, 29 Sunbury Workshops, Swanfield St, London, E2 7LF
Press Enquiries
Alex Zawadzki alex@unculturedcreatives.co.uk
Location and Transport
The Gallery is located:
An 8 minute walk away from Shoreditch High Street Tube Station.
A 15 minute walk away from Old Street Tube Station.
Or you can use your SatNav to get to this address:
29 Sunbury Workshops, Swanfield St, London, E2 7LF
ReplyForward
Add reaction