Contemporary art often criticizes and ridicules religion. Peaceful Mind, Peaceful World (
As is made clear in the exhibition's subtitle, "a survey of religious belief in modern and contemporary art" (現代與當代藝術中信仰的觀與照), the works go beyond merely showing statues and faces of Buddha, the narrowest definition of Buddhist art.
PHOTO: DAVID VAN DER VEEN, TAIPEI TIMES
Visitors to the gallery will immediately be struck by Chang Cheng-yu's (張振宇) Omnipresent Buddha (十方諸佛), eight paintings of faces of the Buddha which form a square. Each Buddha corresponds to a geographical region and era in history, so together they form a map of the world's Buddhist civilizations.
PHOTO: DAVID VAN DER VEEN, TAIPEI TIMES
The Buddha representing Tibet, where the religion is an integral part of life, has wide-open eyes that seem to warmly engage his worshippers. The Buddha for Cambodia, by contrast, has weathered skin, a dark complexion and eyes closed in sadness -- for the "country has seen a lot of suffering and strife," Chang told the Taipei Times.
What they all have in common is a peaceful expression and graciousness symbolized by their golden hue. Studying the piece is like reading an encyclopedia of Buddhism.
At the center of the eight faces is an empty square. "After seeing the eight faces, the viewer can see their own reflection, the ninth Buddha, in the space, because there is a Buddha in everyone," said Chang, who has studied Buddhism for several years.
Buddhist iconography is also presented by Yan Ming-huei (嚴明惠) with her ceramic carvings of Kuanyin (觀音), the Goddess of Mercy. Thin lines are carved into the small ceramic plates with a casualness and spontaneity similar to ancient Chinese ink paintings. This cross between sculpture and sketch work brings the solemn, unapproachable icons to life.
Poet-painter Jiang Hsun (蔣勳), renowned for his luxuriant flower paintings and portraits composed of large blocks of delicate hues, shows the glamorous aspect of Buddhist art. Teenage Hsi Da Du (
Controversial artist Ho Jun-ming (
In Inspiration (
Yu Peng (
Some of the works, at first glance, don't seem like expressions, of Buddhist art, while others have no apparent Buddhist influence at all. But many of the artists share at least a brief encounter with Buddhism at some juncture in their lives. Visitors to the exhibit are guaranteed the same.
What: Peaceful Mind, Peaceful World
Where: Lungmen Gallery, 2F, 2, Ln.150, Hsinyi Rd., Sec. 5 Taipei 台北市信義路五段150巷2號2樓
When: Until Jan. 5
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