James Paddock
James Paddock is an artist with long-term mental health issues, Schizophrenia, who has been practicing for 6 years and made considerable progress creatively, having previously being on a medication that did not lend itself well to arts practice. His artwork and knowledge about delivering arts activities develops with each new project he undertakes.
He uses mixed media, video, installation and conceptual art to focus on overlooked matters in contemporary society such as loneliness and isolation, the human condition and mental health. Narratives within his art are informed by his history and lived health condition. He likes to fuse the schizophrenic condition with different scenarios we experience as humans in life.
Examples of artistic work includes being funded by Arts Council England for two moving image artworks SHELLS (2017) and PLYON (2019).
SHELLS is a film installation that celebrates uniqueness and acceptance for people who live with mental health conditions showcased at two curated exhibitions at The Production House, Eastleigh and Black Box project space, University for the Creative Arts (UCA) Farnham.
PYLON is a thought-provoking a mixed media installation that demystifies the lived experience of someone who has psychosis, a condition often misunderstood. PYLON was my first solo exhibition in London at A-side B-side Gallery, which was selected by Whitechapel Gallery and Timeout, as a top 5 exhibition, out of 150 East London First Thursday galleries.
Recently he was awarded an Artist Bursary from a-n The Artists Information Company to explore how he can use his lived experience of Schizophrenia to work with researchers in mental health within my practice.
In 2021, he was awarded funding for his current project Mirrored to the core, by Arts Council England. MTTC is a video artwork with an operatic twist.
He graduated with a BA Fine Art degree, studying at Cardiff School of Art & Design and Winchester School of Art.
He has exhibited at the Espacio Gallery, London; Chelsea College of Arts, Appleton Box, Lisbon; ROA Gallery, London.
Contact details
James Paddock
Conceptual, installation, and video artist.
England
Artistic Directors
James Paddock
Online
Email: jamespaddock100@gmail.com
Website: https://jamespaddock.net/
James facilitates discussion and gives talks to audiences interested in art and mental health. He works with a team who help him present his thoughts, ideas and artworks to the viewing public.
Latest Video
Lost Person 2018 by James Paddock
The 'Shells' exhibition, with the 'Blinds' and 'Nets' installations by James Paddock
PYLON is a video mixed media installation by artist James Paddock that deals with the topic of Psychosis or precisely Schizophrenia.
Taking the viewer on a journey with a psychotic young woman Lilly who travels on foot as a psychotic experience unravels.
The artwork uses moving image and special audio techniques (binaural sound) to convey the psychotic experience.