"
James has made a study of the ways in which men would control both nature and the built environment, and the ways in which both nature and human neglect eventually overwhelm these ambitions. Increasingly, if his photos seem beautiful it is despite, not because, of their subjects...
James has made a remarkably sure and swift progression, uncovering his true subject and defining his artistic attitude, deciding for himself and his viewer just exactly what role should be played by a stack of cheap plastic rates plunked down in front of a historic facade." (
Globe & Mail 20080603)
"A thoughtful illustrated celebration of the artist's outstanding accomplishment...In these images, and elsewhere in his work,
Geoffrey James pinpoints with strong artistic force the fault-lines and fissures in the architectural history of our time." (
Globe & Mail 20080724)
"Despite the absence of people, a sense of human habitation is powerfully evoked.
James' subject has always been the relationship between landscape and civilization, nature and humanity. This visually sumptuous volume is worthy of one of the country's most significant contemporary photographic artists." (
Waterloo Region Record 20081011)
"[
Utopia/Dystopia] provides an illustrated chronology of
James' career, which adds depth to the book, giving us a glimpse of his maturation as a photographer...For photography buffs, this tabletop book is a nice addition to one's collection, particularly, as a study in black and white." (
Regina Leader-Post 20080920)
"Both show and catalogue --
James's images stand up well on the page -- march us steadfastly past the wide range of subjects that interest the 66-year-old, Welsh-born, mostly self-taught photographer...
James's work has long fit well within the framework of photographic history. Indeed, there's much to be admired in earlier panoramas of Italian gardens and French landscapes in
Utopia/Dystopia." (
Toronto Star 20081010)
