Anthony James

Anthony James is a British/American artist, based in Los Angeles, known for his monumental and experiential sculptures and installations. His work gestures towards the theatricality of minimalism and formalism. Throughout his work, there is a focus on materiality, alchemy, and a deep respect for light and space.

Early life

Anthony James was born in England in December 1974. He studied in London at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design from 1994 to 1998, and graduated with a degree in fine art painting. It debuted in 2008, and the collection continues to grow.

Repose, 2020

The Repose series consists of three Ferrari bodies: the 1957 250TR, 1962 250 GTO, and the 1967 P4. The sculptures are presented in archival quality bronze, aluminum, and copper.

KΘ (Kalos Thanatos), 2008

Kalos Thanatos (KΘ), Greek for “beautiful death”, originated when James burned his Ferrari F335 Spyder in a birch forest, which was later placed in a glass box with birch tree trunks. James drew inspiration from the ancient Greeks, who historically made sacrifices to Aphrodite in birch forests.

The Birch Series, 2005–present

The Birch Series originally debuted in New York City in 2005. It consists of several variously sized, vertical light boxes with young birch tree trunks inside. The sculpture series references the containment and simulation of nature. The works have mirrored sides, which give the illusion of an endless birch forest. The pieces are composed of birch trees, metal, glass, and fluorescent lights or LEDs. The birch tree is associated with magical symbolism.

Bullet Series, 2011–present The Bullet series is James' attempt to create a "visual demonstration of the universe", inspired by Italian artist Lucio Fontana. The pieces of the series are composed of polished steel which has been shot with a variety of firearms, puncturing the material in random areas with varying intensity. James described this process as "a zen practice".

Morphic Fields, 2014

Morphic Fields was an exhibition of bronze and limestone pieces inspired by the scientist Rupert Sheldrake's pseudoscientific theory of morphic resonance: "a process whereby self-organizing systems inherit a memory from previous similar systems." The sculptures are created from found materials.

Shields, 2015–present

Shields is an exhibition of curved disks made of brass, bronze, and steel "scarred with minimalist markings."

Rain Paintings, 2018

Rain Paintings was a photorealistic series comprising Belgian linen, gesso, and a proprietary acrylic urethane clearcoat.

Neons, 2002

Neons was a series of colorful rings of neon lights placed in ascending order of diameter size.

Accomplishments James was selected to participate in the inaugural Mayfair Sculpture Trail, The Sculpture Trail was a part of the 2020 Mayfair Art Week in Mayfair, London, and continues to be held annually.

Exhibitions

Selected solo exhibitions 2020: Opera Gallery, London, England 2018: Rain Paintings, There-There Gallery, Los Angeles, CA 2018: Portals, Melissa Morgan Fine Art, Palm Desert CA 2017: Portals, There-There Gallery, Los Angeles, CA 2017: Shields, Fort Gansevoor, New York, NY 2016: Maloney Fine Art, Los Angeles, CA 2014: Morphic Fields, Walter Storms Galeri, Munich, Germany 2012: Consciousness And Portraits Of Sacrifice, Brand New Gallery, Milan, Italy 2010: ΚΘ, Patrick Painter Gallery, Santa Monica, CA 2007: Visionaire Gallery, New York, NY 2007: Milk Gallery presented by Gavlak Gallery, New York, NY 2007: Gavlak Gallery, West Palm Beach, FL 2006: Kantor/Feuer Window, New York City 2005: Holasek Wier Gallery, New York City 1999: Four, Four, Four Apex Art, New York City

Publications

Morphic Fields is the title of a series of 21 amorphous bronze sculptures with limestone bases, which are works created from cardboard boxes dipped in and shaped with wax and subsequently cast in bronze. This first monograph on Anthony James includes writing from fashion and art critic Glenn O'Brien, writer Christian Kracht, and Matthias Mühling, as well as an interview with biologist Rupert Sheldrake, whose pseudoscientific theory of morphic fields inspired the artist's work and the title of this publication. The book was published by Hatje Cantz Verlag.