the decadence

james mortimer

I seek new perfumes, ampler blossoms, untried pleasures.

Gustave Flaubert

When I asked James to provide me with the title for his show, it did not take him long before he’d decided on “The Decadence.” He said, “after all, that is what they are all about.” This idea behind the concept of The Decadence does capture the style and essence of James’ work. They are decadent but they are also so much more: they are filled with images of figures surrounded by patterns and objects and set in “atmospheres akin to dreams and vague settings.” It was James’ desire to create a solo show that was stylistically linked. As he said, he “doesn’t have a grand philosophy behind the pieces” but rather wanted them each to work with one another and flow together to create a beautiful show.

Tatooed Boy with Melons: oil on canvas 102cm x 76cm

It is extremely exciting to have James’ first solo show outside of Great Britain at Accesso Galleria. Having worked with him for over a year, it is a pleasure to see him evolve and grow artistically. He is filling his paintings with more rich backgrounds yet he is staying true to the palette that is unique to James. Likewise, his drawings have taken on a new element too as they have moved away from simple figuration to densely constructed images.

Strange Delights: oil on canvas 102cm x 76cm

For the very first time, James has produced two large drawings in size A1 which for him was a new challenge but something he was very ready and prepared to do.

The Great Giraffe Room Ink on paper 84cm x 59.5cm

The Extravagant Prison Ink on paper 84cm x 59.5cm

Black Beast Attacking: oil on canvas 102cm x 76cm

Bird Catcher with Peacock: oil on canvas 102cm x 76cm

A frequent question we are asked about James is how does he create and decide upon his imagery and this is not an easy question to answer. James says that he simply paints and draws what he likes and feels. This only goes part of the way to answer it. To understand more of James and his work one needs to know where he is from and where he has travelled. He lives in the city of Bath in the West of England which is filled with Palladian-inspired architecture. He travelled alone as a teenager through post-Communist Serbia, Romania, Ukraine and Russia and was greatly inspired by the people he saw and their passion for smoking and drinking. He then travelled to China and saw colourful pagodas, ornately patterned silk fabrics and “porcelains brandished with mythical scenes.” All of this imagery remains today in his paintings and drawings.

Flower Eaters: olio on canvas 102cm x 76cm

James’ show is decadent indeed. It was in planning this show that James had the idea of creating one large, central piece to anchor the show; a piece that represented all his works. This large piece, entitled The Decadence, he painted with this in mind. This painting embodies all of James: the languid semi-nude man with a cigarette and a glass of wine astride a table with patterned fabric. Then James does what James does best--he takes the fantasy further and adds an enormous white seahorse giving birth while a monkey caresses the main character and for some reason a strange bearded-man appears from under the table. Then he sets it in a beautiful, tranquil surrounding of water and mountains. The entire description sounds odd and possibly too much to believe. However, it works and only James it seems can do this. In July James will be travelling to Nepal. We will wait in anticipation to see how this journey influences his next series of paintings.

The Decadence: oil on canvas 181.5cm x 137.5cm

Curriculum

Born in England in 1989. Art and Design, Advanced Level, St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Bath, England History of Art, Advanced Level, New College, Swindon, England

Mostre Personali / Solo Exhibitions 2012 The Decadence, Accesso Galleria, Pietrasanta, Italy 2010 Pipes and Birds, Norfolk House, Richmond, London

Mostre Collective / Group Exhibitions 2012 The Void Art Exhibition, Bath, England 2011 The Others Art Fair, Turin, Italy Chase Charity Fair, Royal Academy of Art, Kensington, London. Affordable Art, Barnes, London. Accesso Galleria, Pietrasanta, Italy Hackwood Art Festival, Huish House, Hampshire, England Group Show, Wandsworth, London Affordable Art, Barnes, London 2010 Pipes and Birds, Solo Show, Norfolk House, Richmond, London Group Show, Chapel Arts, Bath, England

the decadence james mortimer

Accesso Galleria, Brad Brubaker Via del Marzocco 12, 55045

Pietrasanta, Italy tel +39 340 410 4004

www.accessogalleria.com