Small Worlds

An exhibition by James Cennamo

With a background in cartooning, James started creating these shadow boxes recently. As an editorial cartoonist for newspapers on Nantucket Island, where he lived in the 1980s and 1990s, James earned awards from The National Newspaper Association, and The New England Press association. From pop culture and historical events, to the Beatles, Kafka and Star Trek, for James nothing is out of bounds for the Small Worlds in these shadow boxes. 

James: "On a whim, I decided to relocate to Salem, Ma. It was October, the perfect time to live in this town. I love the diverse community here. It's very welcoming. I finally started my next art project here, a graphic memoir. I was cartooning just about everyday, mostly at the Jaho Coffee Shop on Derby Street. I'd buy one Camomile tea and sit there for three or four hours cartooning.
Last summer I was browsing through the aisles of Michael's Craft Store, when I saw a bin full of little wooden boxes. I wondered what could I create with  these? Perhaps collages? I bought several, and brought them home. After doing a few rather dull collages, I decided these boxes needed something else. I went back to the store and bought some clay. It was an "ah ha" moment! Having never sculpted before, my little figures were child like, which I think is my forte. It certainly reflects my cartooning.
I'm grateful that Salem Arts Association gave me this opportunity to showcase my shadow boxes. And me being completely ADHD, I finally read the upc sticker on the back of these little wooden boxes, it said; 'Shadow Box'."

On Display May 24 through June 28, 2025

About the Artist

James started creating these shadow boxes less than a year ago. It's a departure from his cartooning. He was an editorial cartoonist for newspapers on Nantucket Island, where he lived in the 1980s and 1990s. His editorial cartoons earned awards from The National Newspaper Association, and The New England Press association. In the late 1990s he produced a jazz radio show on WBUR, and also did stand up comedy. James is a musician as well, playing transcendental music at Yoga studios in Salem, and the surrounding areas. The name of his group is Govinda Sky; on all music streaming platforms. He is also an author. River of Consciousness; a graphic memoir, which was published in 2023.