Illuminated Iconographic Tibetan Calligraphy

Title:
Transformation

Acrylic paint on heavy water colour paper, 57x76cm 2007

This painting shows three rare blue lotus flowers representing the ‘past, present and future’ the passing of time.

This illuminated calligraphy translates as ‘Transformation’, the script style is called Dru-tsa; a cursive script traditionally used for free style Tibetan calligraphy. 
‘Transformation’ is made up of two words in Tibetan, the first word sprul meaning emanate, incarnate, manifest. The second bsgyur meaning change, transform.
The technique used to give the effect of the calligraphy in white, is achieved with a brushed resist over which the main body of painting is applied, later peeled away leaving the natural colour of the paper.

In Eastern iconography, the lotus flower is symbolic of purity and is considered an example of transformation, feeding from the composting mud at the bottom of a lake or pond, transforming into the most pure and glorious of flowers, that stand proud above the water surface, un-splashed by the (Samsaric) bustle of pond life.

This painting is also available as a limited addition print.