To Hold, Maintain, Keep
760 x 760
Mixed Media - Paint, dress patterns, graphite, charcoal, metallic foil

This is an artwork created as part of my 'Paper Doll' series which looks at notions of identity, culture, community, and connection.
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I wanted to create an artwork where people were connected in a circular fashion and from that idea this piece evolved, suggesting ideas connected to Dharmachakra's “The Wheel of Life or Law”, an important symbol of Buddhism. The word Darma is derived from a Sanskrit noun that means ‘to hold, maintain, keep’ (in Vedic Sanskrit it means “bearer and supporter”).

The people in this artwork represent a kind of cycle of life, those on the earth living together, those rising heavenward always connected together, and those existing in a kind of afterlife community. The nest in the sky contains them along with the stars of the universe. At each stage, the people are always supporting each other, connected in the evolution of all stages of life.