Ikon Slow Boat – Artist-in-residence: James Lomax

By James Lomax, Ikon Slow Boat artist-in-residence 

This is the first time I have taken a more focused approach to research with my practice and I was keen to take a step back from the physical aspects of my work over the course of the residency.

The outcome is a large new photographic archive and a lot of new material to work from. This is certainly the beginnings of something new and taking the time to walk and photograph the area each day has also led me to a number of discoveries about the way in which I have approached making in the past.

I became particularly interested in documenting the remnants of factory and warehouse floors; the only reminder of their past occupation, long after the buildings themselves had been flattened. It is peculiar how they have been left there as a strange unintentional nod to the history of the site, somewhat resilient. Developers have removed the potential playgrounds, of ex-industrial buildings, to the adventurous trespasser and now occupy the land in a waiting game.

Though my residency has now come to an end this is a body of images that I am looking to continue and develop into a more sculptural form as I enter back into the studio.

Check out Ikon’s Instagram feed to see more images by James Lomax.

Mahtab Hussain is Artist in Residence during October and November 2017. Find out more.