James de Villiers

Laniakea: Thought as Linear Expression

These artworks are a convergence of science, spirituality, and the natural world, deeply influenced by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the concepts of decay and chaos, ancient Hindu cosmology, and the grand structure of Laniakea—the immense supercluster of galaxies to which our Milky Way belongs. At the core of my work lies an exploration of decay and chaos, seen both in the natural world and within the subatomic realm.

Using drawing, painting and randomized silkscreen printing techniques, I capture the transient beauty of decay—whether in the form of wilting flowers or the disintegration of particles following high-energy collisions at the LHC. These chaotic processes, often seen as destructive, also speak to transformation and renewal, themes that are central to both particle physics and ancient Hindu cosmology. The LHC's high-energy collisions, which break particles apart to reveal the fundamental forces of nature, serve as a powerful metaphor in my art. I abstract these interactions, using lines, curves, and colors to represent the energy, movement, and potential hidden within the chaos. This is paralleled by the cyclical nature of Hindu cosmology, where creation and destruction are intertwined, reflecting a universe in constant flux. Laniakea, the vast supercluster of galaxies, adds another dimension to my work.

This concept of interconnectedness on an incomprehensible scale resonates with my exploration of the micro and macro—particles at one end, and galaxies at the other. The grand structure of Laniakea symbolizes the order within chaos, where millions of galaxies are bound together by gravity, forming a colossal cosmic web. Through abstract interpretation, I aim to connect the viewer with the fundamental forces of nature, the beauty of decay, and the vastness of the universe. My work seeks to evoke a sense of wonder and contemplation, where science, art, and spirituality meet.

By bridging these realms, I offer new perspectives on the intricate dance of creation, destruction, and the interconnectedness of all things, from the smallest particles to the largest cosmic structures.

Abstract Large Hadron Collider inspired

My artwork is a fusion of modern science and ancient wisdom, deeply influenced by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), particle physics, and the rich traditions of ancient Indian cosmology. Through an abstract lens, I explore the profound and complex concepts that govern both the subatomic world and the vast cosmological narratives of creation, destruction, and rebirth

In my work, I delve into the abstract representation of particle interactions, where lines, curves, and forms symbolize the dynamic and chaotic movements of quarks, leptons, and bosons. The size and type of each particle, along with carefully chosen colors, serve as metaphors for their distinct properties—quarks might be rendered in bold primary colors, while leptons appear in softer pastels, and bosons in vibrant hues to express their fundamental roles as force carriers. This scientific inspiration is complemented by elements drawn from Indian cosmology, where the cyclical nature of the universe, represented by concepts such as the eternal dance of Shiva, resonates with the continuous creation and annihilation of particles. 

While the scientific origins of my work are rooted in particle physics, my approach is far from literal. I embrace the abstract nature of art to interpret the unseen and the unknown, using visual elements to evoke the mysterious beauty and complexity of the universe at its most fundamental level. Symmetry, geometry, and scale are recurring themes, reflecting the duality of chaos and order within both the subatomic world and the cosmic cycles described in Hindu texts. 

My work also grapples with the themes of quantum uncertainty, multidimensional reality, and the cosmic dance of creation and destruction, challenging the viewer's perception and inviting them to engage with the underlying narratives of discovery, exploration, and the unknown. 

Each piece is a journey into the heart of the invisible, where art, science, and ancient spirituality converge to offer new perspectives on the nature of existence. Through this abstract interpretation, I aim to bridge the gap between the scientific, the artistic, and the spiritual, creating a space where the complexities of particle physics and the timeless wisdom of Hindu cosmology can be felt, imagined, and appreciated in new and unexpected ways.

Abstract Flowers

These artworks explore the profound connections between the natural world, scientific phenomena, and ancient spiritual teachings. Influenced by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), particle physics, Hindu cosmology, and the ephemeral beauty of nature, I delve into the chaotic and transformative processes that define existence. Most of my art ideas overlap and contain the above underlying concepts.

A central theme in my work is the chaotic nature of decay, particularly as seen in the withering of flowers and the decomposition of vegetation. Just as particles collide and decay within the LHC, leading to moments of intense transformation, so too do natural forms undergo a cycle of growth, decay, and renewal. This process is mirrored in the cosmic cycles described in Hindu cosmology, where creation and destruction are part of an eternal dance. 

In my abstract representations, I use dynamic forms, fragmented structures, and a vivid color palette to capture the essence of these chaotic interactions. The decay of flowers and vegetation is visualized through disintegration and transformation within the compositions, reflecting the physical breakdown in the natural world and the symbolic dissolution of forms in spiritual traditions. 

The process of decay becomes a meditation on the transient nature of life, where beauty and chaos coexist in a delicate balance. By exploring the decay of organic matter alongside the breakdown of particles, I seek to highlight the universal nature of chaos and transformation. Whether in the microcosm of particle physics or the macrocosm of the natural world, decay is not merely an end but a necessary phase in the cycle of life, leading to new growth and renewal. Through this exploration, my work challenges viewers to see decay not as a loss, but as a dynamic process full of potential and beauty. 

The chaotic nature of this decay becomes a source of inspiration, revealing the intricate and interconnected patterns that shape our reality, whether in the subatomic realm, the cosmos, or the natural world. In this way, my art bridges the scientific, spiritual, and natural worlds, offering a contemplative space where the viewer can reflect on the fundamental processes of decay, chaos, and renewal that permeate all aspects of life.

Art on Paper Collection

A collection of mainly silkscreen serial monotypes and monoprints printed over hand-painted backgrounds or screenprint combinations and digital imagery. Also including paintings and drawings on paper. These artworks are an exploration of chaos, decay, and transformation, drawing inspiration from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), particle physics, ancient Hindu and Eastern cosmology, and the natural cycles of life and death. Central to this practice is the use of "randomized silkscreen printing", a technique that allows me to capture the unpredictable and ever-changing nature of these processes. In my work, I employ silkscreen printing in a way that embraces randomness and imperfection. 

The layers of ink, colors, and patterns are applied in a deliberately unpredictable manner, reflecting the chaotic interactions of particles within the LHC, the disintegration of flowers and vegetation, and the cyclical dance of creation and destruction in Hindu cosmology. This method mirrors the inherent unpredictability of decay and the beauty that arises from it. The randomization in my silkscreen printing is not merely a technique, but a philosophical approach that mirrors the underlying concepts of my art.

Just as particles decay and new forms emerge from chaos, each print is unique, hence the production, not of the traditional print editions, but monotypes and monoprints—an unpredictable outcome of overlapping patterns, colors, and textures. The decay of flowers and vegetation is echoed in the layering and erosion of prints, where each pass of the screen may add or subtract from the image, creating a dynamic and evolving composition. This approach allows me to explore the transient nature of life, where beauty and impermanence are intertwined. The randomness in my prints embodies the concept of decay as a process full of potential, where chaos leads to new forms and unexpected beauty.

It is a visual representation of the cyclical nature of existence, where every ending is also a beginning. Through this process, my artwork becomes a dialogue between control and chance, order and chaos. By embracing the unpredictable, I create a space where the viewer can engage with the fundamental processes of transformation that permeate the natural world, the cosmos, and our own lives. My silkscreen prints are not just images but moments of captured chaos, each one a reflection of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of reality.

The Hsien Prayer Print Portfolio

The Hsien Visual Prayer Portfolio is available to order through this site.


A collaboration between Nicholas Hauser and James de Villiers. Artwork by Nicholas Hauser. Printing and presentation portfolio boxes by James de Villiers.


Our portfolio presentation boxes are handmade and although we have a limited reserve stock, depending on demand, it may take up to a week to fulfil your order.

The cost of a Hsien Visual Prayer Portfolio is ZAR 20,000.

This price does not include shipping costs, so please enquire as to the full cost before ordering.

Please supply your location details to where the portfolio must be delivered.

Payment may be made through EFT. Please enquire regarding type of payment.

Details of payment procedure will be forwarded upon receiving your order.

You may also email us directly at [email protected] for your order or any queries.

Our Hsien Visual Prayers
for good governance,
conscience, meditation
and compassion.
Good governance of the self.
Good governance of your relationship to other people.
Good governance of your place in the pattern of existence, environment and energy.


There is a long history of human beings from all cultures petitioning images for an improvement in their futures and fortunes. We think perhaps of the great fetishes; Nkonde Nkisi, of the Golden Calf, Ganesha, the Crucifix, the Virgin.
Not forgetting “likes”, blue ticks and thumbs-up approvals of latter-day digital mediums.

Objects of sacrifice, devotion or appreciation
are not unfamiliar. Neither are our pre-determined
sequences of words, prayers, incantations and manifest verbal recitations.

If then, these spoken rituals embody an improved sense of security, comfort and well-being - and we believe we can utter or speak something better into existence; then why may we not likewise believe ourselves capable of looking, viewing, seeing, watching or gazing something into existence?

In short, could a design alone, perhaps function as
a potent prayer?
A picture prayer.

Thus, by simply looking at it briefly - or for an extended period of time - we might improve our optimism, our hope and our energy levels using the eye as the primary agent of acquisition and ultimately of transformation.

What this portfolio of original “Hsien” images simply seeks to do is say :

“Here, look at these images. Feel better “



Hsien Prayer Prints Portfolio Presentation Box by James de Villiers

Realist Art

Includes skies, landscapes and still lifes.
These are older paintings from a previous stage in my painting career. I paint these  subjects occasionally as I still find the process relevant in the context of my current work