Maya (Sanskrit, माया): illusion
“Maya is the world of that rippling pond, the fractured, sparkling image of reality that is no reality but only its broken surface.” - Joseph Campbell, Myths of Light, Eastern Metaphors of the Eternal
The series Maya blends Indian textile crafts and Western traditions of oil painting. Through these textiles and prints, I explore the borders that define memories of what comprises home and borders between the spiritual and the physical.
These fabrics, collected over my lifetime, recall gestures of family and everyday life. Women design and produce the traditional Indian fabrics featured in each piece. Indian women wear the traditional saree, and almost every saree has a border. The border design is integral to the overall composition, complementing the designs in the body of the saree, often depicting unique patterns and stories. Through architectural forms that mirror the traditional Indian weaving and block prints, these paintings build monuments to the spiritual icons that I call upon in the midst of daily routine.
These pieces represent the struggle of moving between the identities of an immigrant, a woman, and a mother. But also, they celebrate the life that exist between these identities and emotions. There is immense joy in recognizing that diversity in experiences opens the mind and the heart.
The Spiritual Icons
Circles and Dots
There are many interpretation of the bindi represented as dots and circles. According to tradition, the mark between the eyes represents the spiritual seat of consciousness: wisdom, the third eye, or ajna. Though it is mainly worn by women, it was once sexless. From Vedic times (5,000 years ago), it was used to worship the intellect of both men and women to ensure that thoughts, speech, and action become pure. The belief is that a strong intellect can help make decisions in life without fear. “Shakthi” uses this bindi to represent female power. According to tradition, shakthi represents cosmic energy, creation, and female power. The color blue represents the universe. This painting seeks to find universal human connections.
Lines and Rays
It is when the inner light - the ultimate light that is no light comes into manifestation that this maya veil is passed. - Joseph Campbell, Myths of Light, Eastern Metaphors of the Eternal
Light represents hope and enlightenment. It also reminds us that life is ephemeral, change is constant, but we have to keep searching for the light. Lines (ஒளி : oli) are a visual metaphor for these concepts in my paintings.
Indian men wear vibhuthi (three white lines) of ash on their foreheads during religious practices. The three lines, seen in “Shiva and Shakthi”, represent the power of will, knowledge and action. The ash represents the ephemeral nature of life and represents “Shiva” or the masculine. The circle represents “Shakthi” , the feminine and creation. They reside on Mount kailash, the temple. The circle is always placed over the three white lines. There is a balance in the composition. Balance between male and female energies brings harmony.
Triangle
Temples are abstracted to a triangle. Temples represent places of respite and renewal. Sarees with temple borders are popular.
Symmetry
Sculpture and temple architecture are predominant forms of art in India. Symmetrical compositions dominates many of these art forms. Symmetry represents balance and it is integral to Indian art and spiritual practices like meditation and yoga. Body, mind, and soul are in harmony when one can achieve balance. The world then becomes harmonious.