Praja

“PRAJA 2023”

(24 X 32 inches – dye sublimation on aluminum, mounted in a floating box frame.)
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One of one, this is a unique piece that comes with a holographic COA (certificate of authenticity).
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PRAJA is a contemporary expression of Prajnatara who was believed to be the 27th awakened female master of Buddhism. It is said that she taught Bodhidharma and instructed him to go to Asia and spread the teachings, transforming Shaolin Kung fu in China and founding the Zen school in Japan.
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The energy of Prajnatara always seems to be around me, my figurative work is a way of transcribing her presence into a physically manifested form. I see her light in the eyes and form of those who pose for me and aspire for those images to transmit her essence.
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This mixed media portrait integrates Artificial intelligence, which I relate to as being access to her. Then I dance with my brushes and paint with her to unite our dynamics into a fluid harmonic state. The particulars of this work are inspired by the Ukiyo-e style of drawing from 17th century Japan, early 19th-century Chinese illustration with mid-20th century American pin-up and blended with 2023 me.

Example of holographic Certificate of Authenticity: