The Possibility Of A Humatopia

   James de Blas or the possibility of a humatopia

James de Blas has a special way to share with us his psychedelic visions: he cherishes representating half human half animal people- like Ancient Egyptians did to represent their gods- dancing in apocalyptic landscapes which picture the strengh of nature, the mystery of wilderness. 

  In these deserts sets, the sky above is streaked with thunderstorms to remind us of our need to connect back with these elements.   Tasmania island landscapes, its past cultures are also elements that nurrish James de Blas' art, which also mirrors the importance of meditation and going into a deep personal analysis to give art, profound originality. 

  Furthermore, other landmarks are dispatched on his canvases such as Precolombian type of temples, animals of North America and South America, cosmic symbolic elements such as mystical warter lilies, yoga and transcendental postures haunts James de Blas's art works to the highest point. We then feel that the land James de Blas pictures is a utopia, a human utopia, a humatopia as James de Blas says in his own words. This utopia could be this land where mankind can create a new existence, and find back this inner state of stability and peace.

  James de Blas' technique and visions are echoes to a painting realized by Max Ernst in 1937, called L' ange du  Foyer ou le Triomphe du surrealisme, in which we see a strange creature in an end of the world landscape. In surrealism movement, the importance was the supremacy of the mind and thought freed of all the chains of reason, aesthetics and moral issues. This freedom finds its achievement in James de Blas' dream of a humatopia.

Jack Nall

New York, NY