Underwater Floral Momento Mori Vanitas Series Of Works On Paper

gallery text excerpt 'Still Even'

Pertwee Anderson & Gold Gallery, London. 2011.

'In his most recent series, ‘Vanitas’, Alexander James re-visits the works of the 17th century Dutch Masters using period props, food and real insects including butterflies that he bred himself. Each carefully staged underwater scene is captured in-camera without the use of post production, either traditional or digital. Working with subtle distortions of light & movement from the waters own wave energy to create a unique and painterly effect. The subjects appear as if to be floating in a black space that neither interferes nor disrupts the subject matter, the collaboration within this void offering a serene and dreamlike sensation.

Vanitas had its renaissance in the 17th century, when Dutch artists became focused on the theme of mortality using natural specimens such as flowers cut from the root and starting to wither, or pieces of decaying fruit to express a memento mori – a reminder of the inevitability of death in all things living. Moreover, “precious” metals, and objets d’art were used to remind the audience of the meaninglessness of a superficial existence.

James further explores these themes through the introduction of water; acting as both nurturer and destroyer, it has the power to cleanse and reinvent, or to drown and disappear. Believing that drawing on water’s transient and destructive nature exposes the fragility of life, and the temporary nature of our existence. Ultimately, by playing upon and transforming the genre’s inherent symbolic themes Alexander James’s 'Vanitas' series act as a reflection on life and mortality, questioning it's meaning in a society dominated by materialism.

The quality and purity of the process are at the core of his work, attempting to engage his art with the most personal of realisations - brutal yet divine. With sleeping wild animals, period objects, decaying fruit, cut flowers and precious objects illustrating the transience of life and earthly pleasures, the subtle yet pervading presence of water in these works symbolises its power to to give life as well as destroy it, whilst serving as the functional device through which James achieves the mesmerizing painterly effect that distinguishes his artwork.'

Alexander James

2010. ‘Multiply’

A still life with pewter jug and hares on a marble slab

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

Edition of 20 in 19 x 25cms

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

Alexander James

2010. ‘Untitled 1122’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

Edition of 20 in 19 x 25cms

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2010. ‘The Great Leveller’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

Edition of 20 in 19 x 25cms

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2010. ‘Grace’

C-type print, dry mounted to a polished 3mm aluminium plate.

Face mounted with museum grade anti-reflect acrylic 'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 20 in 19 x 25cms

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms
2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2010. ‘Bitter Sweet Table’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

Edition of 20 in 19 x 25cms

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2010. ‘Isis Bound’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

Edition of 20 in 19 x 25cms

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms ... SOLD

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

Alexander James

2010. ‘Emperor's Truth’

A still life with peaches, apples & pears in a porcelain bowl

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

Edition of 20 in 19 x 25cms

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2010. ‘Prosperity’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

Edition of 20 in 19 x 25cms

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2010. ‘Untitled 0727’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

Edition of 20 in 19 x 25cms

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2010. ‘Untitled 0498’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

Edition of 20 in 19 x 25cms

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2010. ‘Love and Chaucer’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

Edition of 20 in 19 x 25cms

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2010. ‘Innocent Soul’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

Edition of 20 in 19 x 25cms

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2010. ‘Untitled 0640’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

Edition of 20 in 19 x 25cms

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2010. ‘Frequency Resurrection’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

Edition of 20 in 19 x 25cms

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

Alexander James

2013. 'Awaiting Hypnos’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 20 in 60 x 80cms

Edition of 10 in 90 x 120cms

2 Artists Proofs

Alexander James

2013. 'Virtue’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

Edition of 5 in 200 x 150cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Memory by Gloriosa’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Perception’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Awaiting Nix’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Clytie Scent of Apollo’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Temptation of Isis'

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Influence of Aspirations’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

Edition of 5 in 200 x 150cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Isolation'

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face. Face mounted with museum grade anti-reflect acrylic.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

Edition of 5 in 200 x 150cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Loves Resurrection’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face. Face mounted with museum grade anti-reflect acrylic.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition I: 60 cm x 45 cm edition of 10; limited availability

Edition II: 120 cm x 90 cm edition of 10; limited availability

Edition III: 200 cm x 150 cm edition of 5; limited availability

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Resting Aria’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition I: 60 x 45 edition of 10; limited availability

Edition II: 120 x 90 edition of 10; limited availability

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Headstone Tableau’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Hypnos's Table for Morpheus’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Untitled 5253’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Transient in Dowsed Lights of Magnolia’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Immortal at Rest’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'Untitled 5374’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium with a/r acrylic face.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition of 10 in 60 x 45cms

Edition of 10 in 120 x 90cms

2 Artists Proofs

to enquire about this artwork please contact Info (at) Distil Ennui.com

Alexander James

2013. 'untitled plate 4-0592’

C-Type print, mounted to polished aluminium face mounted with museum acrylic.

'snug' framed in a narrow sight edged deep walnut.

Edition I: 60 cm x 45 cm edition of 10

Edition II: 120 cm x 90 cm edition of 10

Edition III: 200 cm x 150 cm edition of 5

2 Artists Proofs

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