{"id":4714,"date":"2023-04-24T08:06:45","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T15:06:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/?p=4714"},"modified":"2026-08-30T21:19:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T04:19:28","slug":"james-stanford-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/james-stanford-2\/","title":{"rendered":"James Stanford - The Man Behind the Genius - Nevada's Most Influential Artist"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Chic<\/span><\/div>
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This article was printed in<\/em>
\nChic Compass Magazine - Issue 14<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Photo of James Stanford by Laura Henkel<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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James Stanford - The Man Behind the Genius - Nevada's Most Influential Artist<\/h1>\n

BY LAURA HENKEL<\/p>\n<\/div>

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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\u2014his spiritualized take on the glitz and ecstasy of Las Vegas\u2014few know his ongoing exploration of new mediums and development of new work.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s comprehension of the intricacies and nuances of urban life and the city\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Buddha.Mask<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Buddha.Mask (Backlit Lenticular)<\/p>\n<\/div>

Since his art presents a one-of-a-kind perspective of Las Vegas accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, Stanford\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s work connects to the canon of these and other contemporary artists. On the other hand, Stanford\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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James Stanford at Melissa Morgan Fine Art. Photo by Eric Minh Swenson.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\u201cIt\u2019s a modern take on psychedelic work,\u201d says Alec Longmuir of Melissa Morgan Fine Art. \u201cAt the same time, it plays with the traditional ideas in pattern building and geometry all through the lens of a riot of color.\u201d He adds, \u201cYou 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\u2019s photographs. These works are similar to journals in this regard. Because of Stanford\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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, \u201cWe are not solid entities; we are process and energy.\u201d That is a direct reference to the city\u2019s humble beginnings as a pioneer town to its absolute magnificence as one of the world\u2019s entertainment meccas. According to Stanford, \u201cThe energy and pulse of Las Vegas, as well as the city\u2019s propensity to perpetually reinvent itself, drive the contemporary artist to transform the obvious into the sublime.\u201d 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 \u201cthe excitement of Las Vegas.\u201d<\/p>\n

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, \u201cStanford is unlike any other work of art that I\u2019ve seen.\u201d 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 \u201cWelcome to Las Vegas\u201d sign, really connect with Stanford\u2019s 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: \u2018Which symbol does that represent?\u2019 or \u2018I remember that sign; thirty years ago, we used to go there with my aunt and Uncle!\u2019 The narratives that emerge from his work contribute equally to the whole experience as the artwork itself does.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Del Mar. Curation by Kevin Barry Fine Art for The Strat. Photo by Laura Henkel.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

When exploring James Stanford\u2019s 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\u2019s extraordinary talent. Examples of his art may be found in prestigious collections all over the world. Looking over Stanford\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s many years of artistic and philanthropic efforts to promote Las Vegas, thereby establishing his place as one of Nevada\u2019s most influential artistic ambassadors.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Vicki<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Vicki Night<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Skrolls.<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Skrolls. Installation at The Strat; curated by Kevin Barry Fine Art.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Old Tropicana. Installation at Downtown Grand; curated by Ryan Doherty.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

I am excited to see where his creativity takes him next. With that in mind, I say, \u201cCaptain, my Captain. Here\u2019s to favorable winds and following seas!\u201d 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 \u201cJim\u201d 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Mayor<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Mayor Goodman proclaims the 13th of October James Stanford Day in Las Vegas.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Photo<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Photo of James Stanford by Laura Henkel.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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James 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4715,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4522,3936],"tags":[1026,2831,743,267,206],"class_list":["post-4714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-and-culture","category-issue-14","tag-art","tag-artist","tag-james-stanford","tag-las-vegas","tag-laura-henkel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4714"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4714\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4724,"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4714\/revisions\/4724"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4715"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}