Presents
Runt
James Tailor
PRESS RELEASE
'Runt': A Solo Exhibition by James Tailor at Paradise Works
Paradise Works, Ground Floor E Philip St, Salford M3 7LE
Private view 30th January 2025 18:00 - 20:00
James Tailor: Runt - Second Rendition
Following the success of its original presentation, James Tailor unveils a second rendition of Runt, expanding on the themes and scope of the initial exhibition. This iteration features the monumental assemblage sculpture alongside an impressive collection of 100 paintings from his ongoing series of 30 x 26 cm canvases. By significantly broadening the scale, Tailor deepens his exploration of marginalisation, resilience, and the value of the overlooked.
In its most common usage, ‘Runt’ refers to the smallest or weakest animal in a litter, often dismissed as insignificant compared to its larger, stronger siblings. This notion of vulnerability, neglect, and marginalisation was central to the first exhibition and takes on new dimensions in this expanded format. The additional 99 paintings transform the gallery into a richer, more immersive environment, challenging viewers to engage with these ideas on a grander scale.
The inclusion of 100 paintings shifts the dialogue, creating a visual rhythm that underscores Tailor’s invitation to re-evaluate perceptions of worth and identity. Each canvas, though modest in size, contributes to a larger narrative, forming a tapestry of stories that amplify the voices of those often overlooked. Together, the paintings resonate with the themes of resilience and collective strength, their multiplicity reinforcing the idea that even the smallest, most overlooked elements hold profound significance.
The monumental sculpture remains a cornerstone of the exhibition, its towering presence a stark counterpoint to the intimacy of the canvases. As in the original presentation, the sculpture serves as a physical manifestation of the emotional and historical weight we carry, both individually and collectively. The duality of the small, individual canvases and the singular, imposing sculpture, symbolises the interconnectedness of personal and societal narratives.
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 30th January 18.00 - 20.00pm
Open 31st January to 15th February 12.00 - 16.00pm
Friday - Saturday OR by Appointment made via 07584825281
Paradise Works, Ground Floor E Philip St, Salford M3 7LE
Press Enquiries
Alex Zawadzki alex@unculturedcreatives.co.uk