James Bostick, an award-winning photographer working from his Gallows Hill studio in Salem, MA, has seen his work included in museum collections and exhibited throughout America and Europe. His creative journey is rooted in a singular blend of artistry, visual storytelling, and personal history.
This exhibition features a vibrant selection from Bostick's Salem Arcanum Tarot series featuring timeless stories, presented exclusively in color for the first time. The project was originally intended for black and white photography; however, as the effort progressed, certain images retained their impact in color. This marks the debut of a color-only showcase of the series.
The gift of his first tarot deck from his grandmother at age nine sparked a lifelong fascination with symbolism that would later merge with his passion for photography discovered in his teenage years. This early spark led Bostick to pursue a BFA from the Tyler School of Art and an MFA from Penn State University, with a focus on Art History and Semiotics.
Bostick channeled his interests in semiotics, art history, and classic literature into the pictorial language of the Tarot, embarking on a photographic journey to reimagine these archetypes. The Salem Arcanum Tarot project began in 2009 as an experimental fusion of visual storytelling and symbolic interpretation. After receiving positive feedback on his initial images, Bostick has been steadily working toward completing all 78 images for the Salem Arcanum Tarot series.
Throughout this multi-year endeavor, each photograph grew into a small theatrical production, with the universal human stories of the tarot rendered through vivid, visual narrative. Bostick chose local Salem residents as actors, gathering and crafting props, sets, and wardrobe, and staging the scenes in his studio. The series ultimately features over 100 Salem residents, each contributing their presence to this collective portrait of myth and meaning.
The project, now in its final stages, will reach completion later this year, culminating in a special exhibition at the Instantes International Festival of Photography in Portugal in May 2026.
Please visit Mercy Tavern to enjoy this photography presentation while enjoying their fine food and beverages, and supporting the establishment. I thank the crew and proprietors at Mercy Tavern for this opportunity to share my creativity with our community.
Purchase Online:
Patrons interested in purchasing works from this collection can order online. I’ll happily deliver purchased images when the exhibit closes.
Purchase Online:
Patrons interested in purchasing works from this collection can order online. I’ll happily deliver purchased images when the exhibit closes.
The Fools Journey
Judith and Holofernes
Robin Hood
Minstrel's Rest
The Knight Before
Lady with Peacock
Bacchus
Tavern Revelry
Bringer of Fire
Holy Grail
Lady of the Lake
Faerie Queen
