Todd James: World Domination

About

Lazarides' Rathbone Place Gallery will open its doors for New York artist Todd James' first solo exhibition since 2008, 'World Domination'. James' iconic Somali Pirate Series features heavily within a new selection of acrylic paintings from the artist. The nature of James' work is deeply paradoxical, the contrasting elements of heavy weaponry anda vibrant colour palette combined with commonplace activities such as drinking tea, provoke an interesting combination of menace diluted with an injection of lightheartedness. There will also be a selection of gouache on paper works on display, as well as a recreation of the 'Vandals Bedroom' which was a highlight of the Art in the Streets exhibition at the LA MOCA. The structure is a peep-hole into the bedroom turned graffiti laboratory, which alludes to a farcical artistic take over. A mélange of colours, shapes and slogans that is reminiscent of early influences in James' career as well as artistic traditions which are relevant today. The vandals and pirates that feature in ‘World Domination' fit into the recurrent theme within James' work of figures within society who explore and blur the lines between right and wrong which are enforced by controlling factions.