with Mary Jane Jacob (ed.Jacqueline Baas and Mary Jane Jacob, Buddha Mind in Contemporary Art, Uni of California Press 2004)
Multimedia artist (performance, installations, photography), works with particular communities and sites, explores interiority of public and private spaces.
Lived for 4 years as a Trappist monk but later converted to Buddhism.
His work is a particular response to suffering:'My art-making is not about suffering, as the Buddha would say, but about transcending it. . . quietly pointing ways to freedom from suffering through wakefulness.'
Cultivates humility of being, makes himself vulnerable and receptive as he prepares the making of a piece of work. He wants to make something that will be embraced by the community; respectful of them but also of his own skills as an artist. 'I like the notion of the artist as a cultural worker because it reframes the image of the artistic persona with humility.' Knows this will be understood by capitalist art world. But in remaining vulnerable he is open to new ideas and creativity.
'I carefully create meditative installation environments that welcome you in and slowly open themselves, offering critical historical analysis or alternative environmental options.'
Farmer's Dream - Salinas, Kansas 2012
Production image from Tzofia, 12 hour performance, Tel Aviv, 2008
'The monk and the artist alike must be mindful and constantly ask deeper questions.' Be prepared to admit they don't know. '. . . the humble process by which one slowly experiences growing clarity and deeper insights along the way.'
'Spirituality lies outside of capitalism; there is no such thing as spiritual achievement. But spirituality and art are our highest expression.'
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