Photo of James Stanford by Laura Henkel

James Stanford – The Man Behind the Genius – Nevada’s Most Influential Artist

BY LAURA HENKEL

I first heard of James Stanford when I moved to Las Vegas in 2007. I soon became aware of his philanthropic endeavors, his position as Chair of the Las Vegas Art Commissioner, his pioneering work establishing the Arts District, and his leadership of the Contemporary Art Center, a non-profit operating for three decades. Until then, I had never heard of him as a creative. When our worlds eventually collided, my firm, ArtCulture PR, was recruited to publicize the artwork he had been quietly creating since his 20s while also giving back to his community. While many are aware of his Shimmering Zen series—his spiritualized take on the glitz and ecstasy of Las Vegas—few know his ongoing exploration of new mediums and development of new work.

Stanford is an artist known as an alchemist because of his extraordinary capacity to take the visual language of Las Vegas and simplify it, making it more potent and evocative. He has earned this label because of his unusual ability to do both things. The depth of Stanford’s comprehension of the intricacies and nuances of urban life and the city’s magnetic pulse is a defining characteristic of his artistic output. His compositions are vivid and brilliant, giving spectators a feeling of sensory overload with each look at his work. Not only is Stanford’s portfolio admired for its aesthetic value and level of sophistication but also for the Zen Buddhist meditations portrayed within them. These meditations convey a sense of calm and harmony. His works also elicit a sense of melancholy and introspection. His talent for capturing the spirit of Las Vegas has won him the attention of many art collectors, not just from the West Coast but also from other parts of the country and the world.

Since his art presents a one-of-a-kind perspective of Las Vegas accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, Stanford’s work has evolved into a prized possession among art collectors. He is able to capture the excitement and vigor of the city without sacrificing the city’s delicate beauty. As a result, the work of art that he produces is something that everybody can enjoy. Stanford stands out as a true artist in a world of art where there are so many various styles because he has managed to mix the complexities of the city with a sense of simplicity and beauty. This makes his work particularly notable. His artwork is a reminder of the beauty and vibrancy of Las Vegas and the emotion and energy that can be found inside its walls.

Artists like Michael Heizer, Robert Smithson, Walter De Maria, and Gianfranco Gorgoni have drawn inspiration from the immensity and majesty of their environments, and Stanford’s work connects to the canon of these and other contemporary artists. On the other hand, Stanford’s work is an innovation, a prismatic distillation of artistic discovery portrayed through meditative abstraction. In the huge expanse of desert, these pieces are like shining beacons. His portfolio is based on his Las Vegas photographs that have been digitally collaged to create a collection of mesmerizing imagery. Unique to this form of artistic expression are geometric tableaux bursting with shifting and overlapping hues, forms, and illuminations. The artist employs the alchemy of seeing potential in things that seem to have none at first glance, so transforming the profane into the sacred. The energy and stillness of the desert and the infusion of city lights only serve to heighten the strong sense of mystique that one gets from here and the inspiration as strange tableaux crisscrossed by light-infused patterns and a sense of pareidolia.

“It’s a modern take on psychedelic work,” says Alec Longmuir of Melissa Morgan Fine Art. “At the same time, it plays with the traditional ideas in pattern building and geometry all through the lens of a riot of color.” He adds, “You can see the more in-depth story behind each piece when you peel back the layers of the onion and realize that they are actually collages made from Stanford’s photographs. These works are similar to journals in this regard. Because of Stanford’s impressive history as an artist and his already-established reputation, collectors find that his works have a lot of appeal. One never gets tired of the task because there is always something fresh to see, which is a positive aspect from a personal standpoint.”

Born in 1948 in Las Vegas, his work symbolizes the greatest aspects of the city. Residents and visitors to Sin City have had the opportunity to view his work at various public sites, including Harry Reid International Airport, The Strat, Downtown Grand, and countless enormous murals and pop-up pieces around the city. Stanford makes the observation that he wants to emphasize, even at this late stage of life, the significance of the process of becoming the journey, and he says, “We are not solid entities; we are process and energy.” That is a direct reference to the city’s humble beginnings as a pioneer town to its absolute magnificence as one of the world’s entertainment meccas. According to Stanford, “The energy and pulse of Las Vegas, as well as the city’s propensity to perpetually reinvent itself, drive the contemporary artist to transform the obvious into the sublime.” The energy of Las Vegas, its pulse, and its ability to perpetually recreate itself are all captured in these limitless works, which contain what Stanford refers to as “the excitement of Las Vegas.”

John Barry of Kevin Barry Fine Art, whom Stanford has collaborated with on numerous occasions for site-specific works for a variety of individual residences as well as corporate collections, sums up his Shimmering Zen series best. Barry states, “Stanford is unlike any other work of art that I’ve seen.” A work that is visually engaging and has recognizable subject matter but is executed in an original way. In particular, the parts of the kaleidoscope represent famous Las Vegas locations. Clients who want to emphasize and showcase Las Vegas, but want something more sophisticated than the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign, really connect with Stanford’s work and find it resonant with them. His work compels the viewer to indulge their feeling of wonder by examining the piece in greater detail and engaging in an attitude of discovery in relationship to the components of the installation: ‘Which symbol does that represent?’ or ‘I remember that sign; thirty years ago, we used to go there with my aunt and Uncle!’ The narratives that emerge from his work contribute equally to the whole experience as the artwork itself does.”

When exploring James Stanford’s art, we are treated to a thrilling journey that reveals fascinating insights about the man behind the genius. Thanks to public museums and institutions like The Neon Museum and the City of Las Vegas, we have the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the artist’s extraordinary talent. Examples of his art may be found in prestigious collections all over the world. Looking over Stanford’s body of work, perhaps we can see his unique brilliance and come to value him as the beautiful human being and rare diamond that he is.

For my part, I consider it one of the biggest blessings in my life to count Stanford not only as a valued client but also as a dear friend I hold in high esteem. It has been a joy to watch him achieve success over these many years. Because of his presentation and exhibition at the Format Festival in Derby, which took place in the United Kingdom this past March, the path has been made for new projects in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia. And within days of his return trip from London, he was acknowledged for his contributions to the arts and the community by having his name inducted into the UNLV Hall of Fame. In April, the Forgotten Song Foundation gave him the VIVA Award recognizing outstanding achievement in Visual and Performing Arts in Las Vegas. I am ecstatic that attention is being given to Stanford’s many years of artistic and philanthropic efforts to promote Las Vegas, thereby establishing his place as one of Nevada’s most influential artistic ambassadors.

I am excited to see where his creativity takes him next. With that in mind, I say, “Captain, my Captain. Here’s to favorable winds and following seas!” I sincerely wish that you, the reader, will discover his work and enjoy the same sense of pride for his artistic contributions on behalf of our neon metropolis. It should be noted that the 13th of October is officially James “Jim” Stanford Day in Las Vegas per a Proclamation issued by Mayor Goodman. Celebrate art, my friends, for art has the power to transform space and build community! It certainly is more beautiful when it is inspired by the neon lights of Las Vegas.