James Stanford
Gateway / Free Parking, 2014
Digital print on Fujichrome Pearl Archival Paper; Edition 1 of 21
Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art Collection
Gift of Lynn Morris
2022.05.001

James Stanford is the gateway to my heart. Viva Las Vegas!

My series, Shimmering Zen, takes original photographs of Las Vegas mid-century architecture and neon signs and turns them into intricate designs.

"Being an early adopter of the digital art form, I create kaleidoscopic photo montages that capture Las Vegas’ iconic aesthetic and legendary neon signs and display them in a compelling mix of traditional photography and experimental digital art. Engaging with my native Las Vegas, while reflecting on my own Buddhist practice, my art reflects an interest in transforming views of reality into imagined realms. Drawing on my own belief in Buddhism, I present my digital montages as modern mandalas, offering them up as maps towards inner zen" - from the artist's website

A square artwork composed of masses of tiny images arranged together in complicated, kaleidoscopic symmetry. The word “Motel” and the number 15 recur in various parts of the work. There are touches of red and brown throughout the image but the dominant colors are blue and green.