Opening Reception: Friday, 9 May, 6pm - 8pm
On view: 9 - 24 May 2025

Wester Gallery is proud to present the highly anticipated solo exhibition by James Rhodes!

James Rhodes has a studio-based practice primarily concerned with exploring photo media and its material possibilities. Although his work is rooted in photography and its image-focused language, he uses the material aspects of his work to support his concepts. Piss & Vinegar is a body of work that uses a combination of painting and photography to highlight the ambiguous nature of still images and their ability to hold emotional motifs.

James Rhodes examines the stories we tell ourselves when developing our identity by investigating the false narratives presented to us through his photographs juxtaposed with the visions produced through paint. Rhodes uncovered a connection between nostalgia and hedonism by engaging in an embodied practice while making this work.

- “It [the body of work] integrates photography and painting to delve into the intricate emotional connections between my memories and personal experiences. Central to this exploration is my engagement with my archival negatives. By revisiting these images, I tap into a reservoir of personal history and emotional resonance. Each selected negative serves as a catalyst for revisiting and reinterpreting past moments, allowing for the creation of new narratives that can inform my current state. There is a unique type of pleasure that is gained from engaging in this conscious thought experiment. The project reflects my broader artistic practice, which consistently interrogates memory and perception. My work often involves reimagining and re-contextualising visual materials to evoke deeper, more nuanced emotional responses.” - James Rhodes

Rhodes’s layered use of paint over the photographic image introduces ambiguity, suggesting that memory can be both erased and rewritten. The tension between the fixed photograph and the fluidity of painted interventions mirrors the way recollections shift over time.

Wester Gallery, 39 Bolton Street Newcastle 6pm - 8pm, Friday 21 March 2025

Don’t miss this exciting night of art, conversation, and celebration!

Free Entry | All Welcome

Supported by Sea Salt & Sage Catering, Young Henrys, NON, Heaps Normal