Bodhi
2022
10' x 5'
Acrylic on Linen
The painting Bodhi captures the essence of Buddha’s enlightened presence, embodying wisdom, serenity, and spiritual awakening. The partially visible face, with closed eyes and a calm expression, reflects a meditative state, inviting the viewer to experience a moment of stillness. The composition conveys introspection and peace, symbolising the journey towards enlightenment, much like the Buddha’s own path to attaining Bodhi, the state of ultimate wisdom.
The colour scheme plays a vital role in the narrative of the artwork. The grayscale tones used for Buddha’s face highlight the depth of contemplation and detachment from worldly distractions, signifying clarity and inner stillness. In contrast, the vivid reds and pinks of the lotus represent devotion, purity, and enlightenment, as the lotus flower rises from the mud to bloom in divine beauty. The bold yellow backdrop radiates warmth, energy, and divinity, symbolising illumination and knowledge.
The name Bodhi is deeply significant, as it refers to the state of spiritual awakening and enlightenment that Buddha achieved under the Bodhi tree. It signifies the moment of realisation, where ignorance dissolves into clarity and wisdom. The painting encapsulates this transformative journey, inviting the viewer to seek inner peace and self-discovery, just as Buddha did. The polygonal style, with its intricate stitched lines, reflects the interconnectedness of all things, much like the threads of existence that bind us to the universe.