Wisdom - SOLD

2010
18 x 24 in.
Acrylic, Paper, Rocks, Beads, Mirrors, Mixed Media
Sold

Collector’s Notes

Composition:
Set against a radiant gradient of fiery reds and glowing golds, the canvas depicts three tall symbolic trees, their canopies inscribed with fragments of text — metaphors for the Tree of Knowledge. At the base, a meditative Buddha form rests among rocks, a quiet yet powerful presence illuminated by the expansive light above.

Symbolism:
The piece reimagines the moment of Buddha under the Bodhi tree, when enlightenment was attained. The trees signify growth, experience, and the pursuit of higher truths. The embedded text represents the endless search for meaning, while the Buddha embodies wisdom as calm presence and illumination. The rocks and mirrors reinforce the duality of life’s trials and reflections, grounding the luminous spiritual ascent in the reality of human struggle.

Medium & Technique:
Created with layered acrylics, textured paper, rocks, beads, and mirror fragments, the work balances rough tactile grounding with ethereal light. The contrast between the dense, earthy bottom and the radiant, expansive top mirrors the journey of rising above tribulations to discover inner clarity.

Style & Story:
The painting transcends literal representation, blending symbolic abstraction with spiritual iconography. It poses a timeless inquiry: What is wisdom? The glowing sky reflects both dawn and dusk, evoking cycles of renewal and the eternal presence of light within darkness.

Emotional Connection:
The painting encourages contemplation, inviting the viewer to pause and reflect on their own journey toward wisdom. It radiates serenity while simultaneously sparking inquiry, balancing calm acceptance with the active pursuit of truth.

Context & Significance:
Created in 2010, Wisdom represents the artist’s exploration of philosophical and spiritual themes. Alongside works like Namaste (2010) and Old is Gold (2009), it reflects a deep engagement with heritage, symbolism, and universal questions of existence.

Message from the Artist

When I created Wisdom, I was wrestling with the idea of what it truly means to be wise. Knowledge is easy to collect, but I’ve always felt wisdom is something deeper — an integration of life’s experiences, filtered through compassion and perspective. I wanted this painting to embody that quiet strength and radiance that wisdom carries.

The image of Buddha under the Bodhi tree spoke to me as a timeless symbol of awakening. I chose to render it with rich textures and unconventional materials — rocks, mirrors, and paper — to reflect the fact that wisdom often emerges through challenges, through the roughness of life rather than its ease. The glowing light spreading outward became my way of showing how inner understanding can illuminate even the darkest corners.

This work reminds me that wisdom is not something we stumble upon once and keep forever; it’s a practice, an evolving way of being. For me, it was a meditation on letting go of outcomes, trusting the process, and recognizing that the greatest strength often lies in stillness.