Original artwork description:

After undergoing a shamanic ritual to rid myself of spirit illness, I had a few months of healing period before a Cheondo-jae was scheduled.

Cheondo-jae (薦度齋) is a Buddhist ritual held to offer prayers for the spirit of the dead to be sent to the bliss of the afterworld.

Before the ritual took place, there was an inner calling for this painting: a sleeping bull surrounded by lotus flowers.

Once I had the epiphany I learned that a sleeping bull represents ancestors at peace.

Lotus flowers are closely connected to Buddhism and they represent purity of the body: rising and blooming above the murk to achieve enlightenment. The bull finally closes its eyes to full rest for it to ready itself for reincarnation.

Materials used:

raw canvas, acrylics, ground cinnabar, hand-dyed cotton thread

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