Hi, I’m James, an artist from Guernsey, Channel Islands. My work revolves around the love and sympathy of the materiality of the neglected and used, which hold potency in acts of remembrance and reflection, through tone, tatter and texture.
I find that these materials, often overlooked and forgotten, possess a unique history that can evoke powerful emotions. In my practice, I work across multiple mediums including found objects, mixed media, and assemblage, yet forever break down and understand materials through a collage mindset, constructing, layering, and revealing open-ended narratives of remembrance. This process allows me to weave together stories and feelings from various eras and experiences, creating a visual dialogue that engages the viewer to transcend through the layers noting familiarities and curiosities.
I look at concepts such as the Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy, which teaches the beauty in imperfection and the fleeting nature of existence, embracing flaws and acceptance of nature’s decay. These principles align lovingly with my subconcious act of making in accordance of environmental recognition, always looking to reuse discarded material and add an extra intimacy in the cycle of decay and neglection.
Also, linking ideas of the dilemmas and beauty of memory —whether it be fogged by age or health— I aim to aid in the illuminating process. Each piece, often working off impulse rather than guided information, becomes a discovery through texture. Narrating hidden stories and lost encounters in image and material manipulation. Process is the key for me. Layering, adding material, to then submerge, subtract and abrase, its an awakening volatility. As William Morris said ‘Art is mans expression of his joy in Labour’, I take a lot from Morris’ Philosophies, the pure joy in creation alone is inspiring past perceived limitation.
Work presented at Quarry, 17 Love Lane, Liverpool with Transmission Presents for ‘Distortion’ group Exhibition (February 2023)
Solo exhibition on Hilbre Island, Wirral project self-titled ‘The Scent of Water’ with LJMU and rangers within Islands Buildings (January 2024)
Royal Standard, L8 Liverpool ‘The Rehearsal’ public exhibition with LJMU (March 2024)
LJMU Degree Show 2024 (Work) (24th May to 7th June 2024)
‘Changes’ Group exhibition at Sula Framing & Gallery, Guernsey (September 2024)
‘A bell is a Cup until it is Struck’ – group show in Sheffield BLOC projects (February 2025)
Ol’ Peels Place (if these walls could talk) – Solo pop-up exhibition at the Chamber of Commerce, inner market Guernsey (January -April 2026)
James Kail 