“The Way”, 23" x 49" x 2", acrylic on hand carved basswood, 1998

This is my visual interpretation/ expression of Buddhism (1999.)  The carving is titled, "The Way" because in Buddhism there is no instruction on how to become enlightened, rather the emphasis is on the path to enlightenment. And you can see that there is a road or path that continues to the horizon on both sides. To express the duality of life the work is divided into equal parts- one half warm colors, the other half cool colors. On the warm side the figure is grasping himself in an expression of suffering. On the cool side the figure is in a posture of meditation. This is because in Buddhism the opposite of suffering is not happiness, but detachment of self, or ego.

The wall of skulls symbolizes the reincarnations the figure has gone through in order to reach his level of understanding/ realization. The fallen blossoms on the cool side surround the figure and form of an invisible pyramid (with the crown of his head being the apex). I chose to do this for two reasons: first- because it is a way of expressing power; and secondly because the Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment under the "Bo Tree" in a rain of blossoms, with gift waves emanating outward through the universe.

But perhaps the most significant object in this artwork, is the blossom on the side of suffering. It symbolizes the great realization that we do not need to journey or travel anywhere. It means that ultimate Truth is within us.  And the experience of ‘Atonement’ (at-ONE-ment) can be rediscovered anytime, anywhere or under whatever circumstance.

                                                                             .... seek not outside yourself.

                         “Every man is his own prison. 

                          Yet every man can obtain the means to escape.

                          Never stop struggling.”

                                                           -last words of Siddhartha Gautama