history/multicultural theme
« Previous EntriesBuddha Park, Laos
Monday, October 21st, 2024
Oct.1st: Buddha Park 01, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper.
25 km from Vientiane, Laos, Buddha Park displays over 200 large, reinforced concrete statues based on integrating stories from Hindu and Buddhist mythology, created by Luangpu Bunluea Surirat and his apprentices, started in 1958. This is the first of many representations I have planned. I was there in 2016 and took so many photos, intending to do a series of drawings much sooner than today, but couldn’t decide where to start because there are so many interesting pieces and points of view.
Though the sculptures at first seem crudely done – for how easy can it be to manipulate concrete? – the artists have carefully rendered the grace of hands in prayer and portrayed such character in mythological gods, animals, demons, and combinations of all the above. Discovering cows grazing in the neighboring meadow as part of the setting in the far end of the park, it’s a place where the sum of its parts is so fantastic, that to dissect it in any portrayal will not do it justice. Better for you to read this link to all the information about this remarkable human achievement, than for me to only show you snippets of my impressions or try to describe it in words.
Oct. 4th: Buddha Park 02, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Oct. 8th: Buddha Park 03 – Vishnu as Narayana with Lakshmi and Sheshanaga, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
In the simplest of terms and with limited understanding, here’s my guess at what this group represents: Vishnu with weapon and symbolic items missing, in the form of Narayana (“He who lies in the waters”), is seen lounging beside Lakshmi, his female counterpart. He is mounted on Sheshanaga, a many-headed serpentine demi-god, said to exist before the creation of the universe and will remain after its destruction.
In the complex belief system of Hinduism, literature regards gods, demi-gods and goddesses assuming many forms, with different names and aspects that change with each incarnation. The broad concepts and multi-layered symbolism are only learned by lifelong (or many lives of) awareness, devotion and practice. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are 3 aspects of the One Supreme Being, and are principal deities who create, protect and transform the universe.
Oct 10th: Vishnu as Varaha – Buddha Park 04, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Oct 16th, Buddha Park 05: My best guess is that this is Durga, Hindu Goddess of war and strength, protective mother of the universe, eternally struggling with forces of good against evil. She is usually depicted riding a lion or tiger, with between eight and eighteen hands holding the various weapons and objects that are highly symbolic of her purpose.
18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Work process:
Oct. 21st: Buddha Park 06, Airavata, Hindu elephant deity or also known in Thailand as Erawan with Indra. Work in progress:
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Haida Design carving, Campbell River BC
Monday, September 30th, 2024
Haida Design Shoreline Carving, Campbell River BC, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. There are so many beautiful sculptures along the shore here, but no information online about this wood carving. Every summer Campbell River hosts a chainsaw carving competition, so I assume this is one of the pieces created during one of those events.
Foo Dogs
Thursday, September 26th, 2024
Foo Dogs, Zhejiang, China, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. These Chinese lion dogs or guardian lions, also known as shishi, are an integral part of Chinese art, architecture and folklore. Pairs are placed by the front doorway as symbols of harmony, protection and power, and in Feng Shui philosophy they represent yin and yang – male and female. The male holds a ball under its paw and the female holds a cub.
Temple of Horus
Wednesday, September 18th, 2024
Temple of Horus – Edfu Temple, Egypt – Falcon, Ruler of Skies and deity of the pharaohs, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Haida Design Woodcarving
Sunday, May 19th, 2024
Haida Design Woodcarving along shoreline trail Campbell River BC, 10H x 6W inches soft pastels on paper
Signs and Symbols
Wednesday, January 10th, 2024
Showing in Gallerium Art’s Signs and Symbols January 10 – March 10, 2024: Magic Hour (Gitxsan Totem Pole, Thunderbird Park, Victoria, BC Canada), 60H x 40W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas. Wrapped sides painted, sturdy home-built stretcher frame, navy blue narrow wood trim finishes the sides.
The Red Bag
Wednesday, April 5th, 2023
The Red Bag, Edfu, Egypt – 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Framed size 27H x 33W”.
Camel Ride
Friday, January 20th, 2023
Camel Ride, Khafre and Step Pyramids at Giza, Egypt – 16H x 22W inches soft pastels on paper. The camel ride I said I’d never take because camels are so stinky, but hey, I was there, never going to return, so gave it a try…. so uncomfortable. How have people traveled for eons on these things?
Bonsai, Japanese Gardens, Singapore
Wednesday, July 27th, 2022
Bonsai, Japanese Gardens, Singapore – 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Framed size 27H x 33W”.
Bonsai, meaning ‘tray planting’ in Japanese, is the art of growing, pruning and shaping small plants in containers, to mimic the sculptural growth style of larger trees. The meditative practice of creating beautiful miniature tree-replicas adheres to traditions and principles.
Emphasis is on growing only the tree, whereas Chinese penjing, which influenced the art of Japanese Bonsai, imitates larger landscapes, for example, with trees and mountain scenes.
Magic Hour 02
Monday, February 28th, 2022
Magic Hour 02, the Gitxsan Totem, Thunderbird Park, Royal BC Museum, Victoria BC, Canada, 24H x 18W inches soft pastels on paper. Framed size 33H x 27W”.
I first painted ‘Magic Hour‘ in acrylics on canvas, started July 17th, 2008, with additional blog posts on July 24th, Aug 3rd, 6th, and 15th, 2008. The painting is 60H x 40W x 3D inches ($1,100).
Symbols/crests: The bird at the crown is a giant woodpecker (wee-get-welku). Legend reads that a female ancestor kept a pet woodpecker, feeding it so much it grew to be a giant monster that ate everything made of wood until it was killed. It sits atop 5 human figures who stand on the head of the Mountain Eagle (Skim-sim), who kidnapped and mated with a woman then devoured their offspring. The eleven small figures are humans fishing through holes in the ice. Under them and not pictured in the painting is Will-a-daugh, also known as “Person With a Large Nose”, holding her child who was conceived from a wood grub.