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Fresh new talent hosts his first exhibition in Cape Town

THEFOURTH Artist Residency Program presents Keep It In The Family, a solo exhibition by Alexander James in Cape Town

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By Mira Leibowitz | March 12, 2021 | Art

Photo by Luxian Burnhard II
Photo by Luxian Burnhard II

THEFOURTH Artist Residency Program presents Keep It In The Family, a solo exhibition by Alexander James.

Cape Town’s newest and most exciting exhibition space is starting the year off with a fresh and insightful solo show featuring the work by the esteemed multimedia artist, British born Alexander James.

Keep It In The Family is the very first product of the GorgeousFOURTH artist residency programme, a collaboration between THEFOURTH gallery and the Gorgeous George hotel in Cape Town, South Africa.

Sun Kissed, Oil on canvas, 60 x 40 cm, 2021

Born in London in 1993, Alexander James' artistic talents grew with his education at the Camberwell College of Arts, where he graduated with a BA in Illustration. With his artistic practice predominantly focusing on oil and acrylic painting, installation, collage and soft-sculpture, multidisciplinary is an understatement to say the least. His explosive career has gained international acclaim with solo shows in London, Paris, Berlin and New York and now South Africa.

His latest show Keep It In The Family consists of an incredible collection of small and large scale pieces of work on canvas and paper alongside photography, video and performance installations.

“ This body of work is a mesmerising chronicle of past and present experiences of environments and the people inhabiting them. The exhibition asks what defines a person's identity in today's world by probing subcultures in the city.”

James also unpacks the concept of personal identity through exploring his own childhood memories and combines these recollections with public observations to create a ‘seductive dream like reality.’

Lily, Oil on canvas, 20.5 x 15 cm, 2021

This show focuses on Cape Town as James draws inspiration from the cityscape, natural surrounding and its vibrant chaos it creates.

Keep It In The Family dives into individual expression of personal identity through subcultures found in the city. ‘It is clear now more than ever just how important human connection is after a year in isolation and separation. Human interaction is treasured and public life has taken on a new meaning entirely. While in Cape Town far from his hometown of London, Alexander James furthered his ability to comprehend the cultural moment society is currently in.’

When Life Gives You Lemons, Oil on canvas, 91 x 76cm, 2021

This artist has found himself celebrating personal memory and community in his pursuit to’ comprehend human nature, arriving in a better understanding of not only society but also of himself.

The exhibition will take place from the Exhibition Dates: 13th March - 30th May 2021.

Address: THEFOURTH gallery, 28 St. Georges Mall, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

@thefourth

@alexanderjamessx