In his vibrant and intricate collages, James Stephen Terrell creates layered visual universes. Terrell imagines his collages as portals that “propel the viewer to an otherworldly, ethereal, heavenly, magical, mystical, and supernatural existence.” These complex geometric compositions invite viewers to look, and look again, focusing once on the figures depicted, and then on the patterns that form the foundation of the depiction.

Terrell builds his compositions with fabric and paper collage materials featuring their own complex compositions, patterns, and meanings. The artist’s collages are multilayered, with the collage elements functioning both as patterns and as aspects of the image. The artist uses the volume and form of the patterns in the collage material to build the forms of his own compositions, adding additional layers of visual complexity.

Terrell’s work is informed by his interest in art history, as well as the visual language of stained glass windows and patterns from the Black quilting tradition. He is interested in Josef Albers’ experiments with color, Bridget Riley’s optical art paintings, and Romare Bearden’s iconic use of collage to depict Black life. The elegant style of Terrell’s figures, including bold headwear and dapper menswear, takes inspiration from his community, and specifically his parents’ approach to fashion.