“Consciousness”
(Handmade Paper rendered by me from
vegetation)
Size:
27x40cm
THE IDEA BEHIND THE PAINTING:
The Chinese mystic Chuang Tzu taught
3000 years ago about “the empty boat” meaning the state of egolessness. He was a Taoist whose message of self
realization (or enlightenment), centered on spontaneity and wholeness - about
living life choicelessly and meeting death with the same equanimity. Other mystics in our present time and
throughout the ages talk of similar things.
Their teachings focus on love and being conscious in the Now – something
that is at odds with our materialistic world today.
Human history teaches the political
strivings of kings, queens and other rulers,
however there is another focus on history – a history of mystics who teach
wisdom with an emphasis on peace and love.
When I talk about mystics I am not talking about any particular
religion. Religions are very different
to spirituality and mysticism. Religions
are institutionalized where as Mysticism has no dogma – it is personal.
The painting “Consciousness” seen here,
captures the essence of the thoughts and teachings of these mystics. It is a painting, thought strictly no paint
was used in its making. It is made from
paper which I rendered from local vegetation. However this painting fulfils all the criteria
for a painting – a painting without paint – very Zen...
The circle is a universal symbol for
wholeness and centeredness. I use it in
this painting to bring attention to the here and now. When in the Now, spontaneity and decisiveness
is practiced and life can become more playfully. These concepts are not based on superstition,
faith or beliefs, but rather is conscious behaviour that works very well in our
present society.
“When you gain the inner balance and
your mind has become still, then right knowledge starts functioning through the
centre where truth resides.” ((from “Yoga – the Sacred
and the Soul”. p.39).
The human being has an innate striving towards wellness and health. This is central to Gestalt therapy (Fritz Pearls), and is based on earlier
philosophical and spiritual thought from both Eastern and Western traditions.
Economic Rationalism (or Neo
Liberalism) is the philosophical and economic thought that is driving our world
at present. It talks of “self interest”
as being the motivating force behind all human endeavour. However this concept of self interest is only
associated with money and materialism, and
underpins the greed in today’s markets. Economic
Rationalism is simply a political/economic concept of materialism and does not
embrace other concepts of humanity such as love, co-operation and care.
In my painting “Consciousness” I allude
to wellness and functionality derived from living a life centred in the
Now. That it is a painting done without
paint adds to the paradox and mystery of not knowing everything and not having
all the answers. Just observing life as
it unfolds in the Now.
Art Techniques used to achieve this:
The genre that
this painting falls is spiritual. It is
not a religious painting because its meaning is not connected directly to any
particular religion. The meaning of the
painting is more associated with teachings of the mystics - both modern and ancient.
The style is
contemporary. It leans towards Japanese
in its simplicity and use of paper.
It is
monochromatic in that it is very neutral in colour. There is no pigment except the colour of the natural
fibres used in papermaking.
The form is two
dimensional and the concept is abstract.
The
composition is not complex and is static.
It is balanced with the circle being central to the whole piece.
The title
gives the meaning of the art work. If it
was to be titled “Circle” it would have a totally different meaning. The title “Consciousness” clearly articulates
what this painting is about and the painting’s abstract simplicity emphasises
this concept – the concept of self-realization and Spiritual Enlightenment.
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