James Carroll-Freeney
he/him
This Stone is a Table/ This Table is a Stone
James Carroll-Freeney’s work is grounded in the philosophical concept of 'Block Time'- the idea that all moments, past, present, and future, exist simultaneously. Through this, he uses the familiar and intimate setting of a kitchen table, where everyday life unfolds and where moments are naturally layered. The kitchen table acts as a metaphorical anchor, allowing for the exploration of events such as a birthday in 2007 to exist within this broader timeline, perpetually occurring in a temporal stack.
His paintings reflect the clarity of specific moments hidden under layers of paint and material. The perception of time through this work, where all levels are emerging simultaneously, allows the viewer to feel both bound and unbound at the same time, bringing a feeling of existentialism to the work whilst also allowing the viewer to feel grounded. It evokes the fleeting nature of time while also gesturing toward the indescribable power of the now.