These abstracted portraits of childhood nightmares are fragments and portraits of recurring characters in James’ childhood dreams. Representing strife, fear, stress, and decay they provoked problems in his dreams until he decided to enshrine them. By first sketching their shape and then abstracting those shapes into the forms he was able to quell their power and, ultimately, come to terms with their nature.
Now, these abstracted figures have become guardians of resilience. They are reminders of what can be overcome. In freezing them into form, James turned them from tormentors into teachers—symbols not of fear, but of the power to confront and integrate.
James W. Johnson
Taxidermied Dream Demons (Passages)
2025
wood, ashe, oil, mild steel, light
~2′ x 1′
FOR SALE: $400/each or $1,200/set
Process Photos
