OKLAHOMA CITY (July 21, 2026) — An extraordinary new work that blends light, reflection and illusion will transform Oklahoma Contemporary's Herman and LaDonna Meinders Main Lobby beginning Oct. 15, 2026. The work of British-born, California-based artist Anthony James, 80" Truncated Triangular Trapezohedron (2024) is part of the artist’s ongoing Portals / Platonic Solids / Archimedean Solids series, which explores sacred geometry as a visual language connecting mathematics, perception and spiritual inquiry.
Inspired by Dürer’s Solid, the geometric form depicted in Albrecht Dürer’s Melencolia I (1514), the sculpture draws upon centuries of captivation with proportion, knowledge and the limits of human understanding. James translates this historic form into a contemporary sensory experience shaped by light and movement. As viewers move around the sculpture, mirrored surfaces and illuminated interiors continuously alter perception, transforming static geometry into an active encounter with space, reflection and time.
“While living in Germany, I became fascinated by the mysterious geometric form in Albrecht Dürer’s Melencolia I. I thought about it for years, and after moving to Los Angeles, I felt compelled to build it — not to reinterpret it, but simply to see what this extraordinary shape would become when it existed in physical space rather than on paper," said Mr. James.
Serving as the inaugural installment of Oklahoma Contemporary's new First Encounters initiative, the work transforms the arts center’s entrance into a place of wonder, where remarkable works of art create memorable first impressions and invite visitors to begin their experience with curiosity, reflection and awe.
Art enthusiasts looking to get lost in geometry can view 80" Truncated Triangular Trapezohedron Oct. 15, 2026-Sept. 6, 2027, in the Herman and LaDonna Meinders Main Lobby. Admission is always free.
About the Artist
Anthony James is a British-born artist based in California known for immersive sculptures that unite light, geometry, and perception. Educated at Central Saint Martins in London, James creates mirrored stainless-steel and glass structures illuminated by LEDs, often exploring themes of infinity, sacred geometry, and transcendence. His work draws from Minimalism, Transcendentalism, and the Light and Space movement, transforming mathematical forms into contemplative environments. James has exhibited internationally, including at Art Basel and public installations in London, and in 2023 became the first visual artist to exhibit on all seven continents.
You can explore more of his artistic practice on Instagram @anthonyjamesstudio.
About Oklahoma Contemporary
Oklahoma Contemporary, formed in 1989 as City Arts Center by Christian Keesee and Kirkpatrick Foundation Director Marilyn Myers, is a nonprofit organization committed to providing quality, accessible and affordable arts programming. With a mission to encourage artistic expression in all its forms through education, exhibitions and performance, Oklahoma Contemporary is committed to instilling in the public a lifetime appreciation of the arts and enthusiasm for creative practice. For more information on free exhibitions, class schedules and public programs, visit oklahomacontemporary.org.