Publisher: Ianthe Press

James Stanford utilizes the latest in digital art technique to create mesmerizing mandala designs from digital photos of historic Las Vegas neon signage, and architectural elements from the 1950s and 1960s. Stanford's group of intriguing digital montages convey and respond to the potency of the mandala as a symbol, and its influence and importance to Asian culture worldwide. Shimmering Zen is 264 pages and consists of over 150 of Stanford's original works created over the past 15 years. Includes comprehensive essays by the artist, the curator Elizabeth Herridge and a foreword by Jeff Rosen, Vice President, The Higher Learning Commission, Evanston, Illinois. Author interview by Laura Henkel. The launch of the book is supported by an exhibition of Stanford's visually stunning and intricately constructed modern mandala series, entitled "Indra's Jewels."

About Robyn Flemming

Robyn Flemming is an Austrilian professional that provides editing and proofreading services to publishers, businesses, organisations, academic institutions and individuals. Flemming has extensive experience in the areas of business, finance, economics, marketing, management, law, history, art, health and wellbeing, travel and many other subjects.

About Laura Henkel

Dr. Laura Henkel is a seasoned consultant for contemporary art projects and specialized global ventures. Having served in various executive leadership roles over the past 14 years, her entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit provides successful results to stakeholders, corporations and nonprofits.

With over 400+ installations and exhibitions, inclusive of complex logistical coordination of objects and people, she designs facilities and public venues for the permanent and temporary placement of art and educational programming. Having stewarded art facilities from concept to activation, she is known for her ability to streamline facility operations, strategize marketing, and steward media relations to reach broad audiences.

Well respected for her understanding of the art market, historic knowledge of avant-garde art, erotica and collecting the obscure, Dr. Henkel has a become a key figure in the exhibition and interpretation of provocative art that pushes the boundaries of experimentation.  She is relied on by international artists, collectors, and museums for her unparalleled expertise and frequently worldwide for special projects and art appraisals.

About Elizabeth Herridge

Elizabeth Herridge specialises in museum management, marketing, fundraising and development. She shares her expertise as an art advisor with individuals and institutions and, as a specialist in Late Qing Dynasty jewellery and related materials, provides consulting services to private dealers and other interested parties.

Elizabeth is a graduate of Wellesley College (B.A. French) and has an M.A. in Art and Archaeology (Asian Art) from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, U.K., as well as an M.A. in Connoisseurship and the Art and Auction Market from Christie's Education, New York. She is also a graduate of the Getty Leadership Institute's Museum Leadership Program (MLI) and is fluent in French.

About Jeff Rosen

An academic leader possessing senior administrative experience, including higher education accreditation, school leadership in complex research universities, and faculty teaching experience at the graduate and undergraduate level. Recognized strengths in strategic planning, new program development and curriculum design, board leadership, budget management and forecasting, fund raising, faculty leadership, scholarship in the history of photography. Extensive supervisory and public speaking experience.

About James Stanford

American artist James Stanford’s diverse practice includes photography, digital illustration, painting, and drawing. Stanford studied painting at the University of Washington (UW) (MFA) and the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) (BFA). Dedicated to creativity and the fine arts, he has taught at UNLV and UW, established the Smallworks Gallery, and curated exhibitions at various venues, including the Las Vegas Contemporary Arts Center. Today, Stanford is well known for his edition series Indra’s Jewels, a group of digitally reinvented mosaics of patterns that are at once decorative and contemplative. The vibrant images are reminiscent of physics-like models of space, but also have an immaterial, spiritual quality, evoking the artist’s strong connection to Zen Buddhism.