INTO THE VOID

 

Anthony James, a British-born, Los Angeles-based multimedia artist, has earned international acclaim for his captivating exploration of light, space, and geometric harmony. Born in 1974, James studied at Central St. Martins School of Art in London, solidifying his fascination with materiality and the boundaries of art. His breakthrough came in 2005 with his Birch Series, but it was his 2008 piece Kalos Thanatos—in which he set a Ferrari ablaze and encased it in mirrored glass with birch trunks—that positioned him as a boundary-pushing figure in contemporary art. This work, an ode to ancient Greek sacrifice, reflected his exploration of destruction and rebirth, symbolizing his response to the chaos of modern events, including 9/11 and the financial crash.

James is best known for his Icosahedrons—geometric structures formed from twenty identical triangular facets—that invite contemplation of perfect symmetry. Constructed from glass, steel, and LEDs, these luminous sculptures transport viewers into a realm where mathematics, mythology, and materiality converge. Though minimalist in appearance, they evoke deep emotional resonance as the light seems to vanish into infinity, creating what James calls “the black hole effect.” This visual depth offers both an aesthetic experience and an introspective journey into the concepts of order and chaos.

In addition to his Icosahedrons, James’ portfolio includes large-scale mirror installations like Portal Icosahedrons, towering reflective structures that manipulate space, and his Birch Series, minimalist assemblages of birch trunks encased in glass that evoke themes of nature, history, and transformation.

James’ work has been exhibited globally at prestigious venues, including Art Basel in Basel and Miami Beach, The New Museum in New York, and the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art. His pieces are held in prominent collections, such as the General Motors Building in New York. He also published his first monograph, Morphic Fields (2014), which delves into his theoretical perspectives on art and geometry.

James’ sculptures, crafted from stainless steel, glass, and LED lights, are celebrated for their meticulous craftsmanship and conceptual depth. “My job as an artist is to make my work look effortless, but of course it’s not. The human eye only hits the mistakes. I will never let your eye hit on a mistake,” James explained regarding his Portal Series. His attention to detail ensures that every facet of his work evokes a sense of infinite harmony.

“My intention is to bring an impossible concept—like the idea of infinity or the cosmos—into physical existence. I am attempting to express science, spirituality, and philosophy in the purest and most honest way I know,” James said. This philosophy underpins much of his work, particularly his Icosahedrons, which invite viewers to explore the ethereal cosmos within, where lines curve and disappear into infinite voids, offering a sensory experience of light, space, and time.

​