Gade

The Realm of Imaginary Mystery 2021 (A Tibetan Narrative Wall Painting) BY GADE

2021

Huang Wei's 2021 watercolor painting, Deep Tranquility Flows, is a profound meditation on serenity, deeply influenced by Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. Through fluid, wave-like patterns in mesmerizing shades of blue, Wei evokes the essence of water as both a physical and spiritual element—symbolizing impermanence, harmony, and the flow of inner peace. The painting’s deep, layered blues recall the sacred hues often found in Tibetan thangka paintings, associated with wisdom and the infinite nature of the mind. The undulating forms mimic the movement of flowing currents, much like the cyclical rhythms of meditation and breath in Buddhist practice. Wei’s meticulous brushwork creates a rhythmic stillness, drawing the viewer into a contemplative state, reminiscent of the tranquility sought in Tibetan Buddhist teachings. Blending traditional Chinese techniques with contemporary watercolor expression, Deep Tranquility Flows transcends mere visual beauty. It becomes a spiritual experience—an invitation to pause, reflect, and connect with the deeper currents of existence. Wei’s work reminds us of the profound calm found in nature and within ourselves, offering a moment of peace amid the chaos of modern life. Huang Wei Born in 1985 in Baotou, Inner Mongolia; 2011,Graduated from The Department of Chinese Painting of Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts with a bachelor's degree; 2014,I graduated from Art College of Xizang University with a master's degree; Now he lives and works in Beijing T3 International Art District. After graduating from Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, Huang Wei chose to study in Xizang because he was unsatisfied with the procedural education mode. As an ideal and sacred place for many people, Tibet has also provided artistic inspiration for many artists. Huang Wei is not concerned with Tibetan folk customs or landscapes, but with Tibetan unique, faith-based artistic expression. The experience in Tibet was a rare retreat. He was willing to spend time in dialogue with nature as well as with his heart. Through painting, he established an inner field and objected to mountains, water and clouds with his mind. Huang Wei's brushwork does not move restlessly. The rich texture on the picture comes from the countless dots dyeing of the brush tip and rice paper. This technique, which originated from the Traditional Tibetan painting "Thangka", requires a state of extreme silence and numerous repetitions, approaching a state of meditation. This is the classical spirit from Tibet, and in keeping with the spiritual pursuits of the great achievers of the Himalayan region. As his mentor Li Jin...

This powerful and vividly colored diptych by Malcolm Maloney Jagamarra (born 1955), a renowned Warlpiri artist, is an extraordinary example of contemporary Aboriginal art, drawing deeply from cultural knowledge, ancestral memory, and ecological stewardship. Depicting the sacred narrative of the creation of the Lander River system, the painting is both a visual masterpiece and a spiritual map, tracing a journey through geography, kinship, and Dreaming (Jukurrpa). At first glance, the canvas pulsates with energy. Vortices of concentric circles in rich ochres, reds, yellows, and blues dominate the composition, pulling the viewer into the spiraling flow of the Dreaming. These forms are not merely decorative; they carry deep cultural meaning. The blue line that winds through the center of both canvases is a stylized yet surprisingly geographical depiction of the Lander River, representing its twisting path through central Australia, from the artist’s home country of Willowra to Purtulu (Mount Theo), his mother’s land. Purtulu, meaning “backbone” in Warlpiri, forms not only a physical destination but a metaphorical axis that holds the painting together. This backbone is both personal and cosmic—representing the spine of the land, the structure of ancestral lore, and Jagamarra’s own familial inheritance. The work is grounded in the artist’s kinship obligations and responsibilities to country, with specific references to the roles of kirda (owners of the Dreaming) and kurdungulu (caretakers). In Warlpiri culture, this relational dynamic is foundational—it is the system by which land is cared for, stories are maintained, and ancestral laws are fulfilled. The Dreaming Goannas, positioned at each end of the canvases, are key ancestral figures. Their presence not only signals the sacred nature of this journey but also reflects the traditional Warlpiri iconography—note the “U” shapes, which are used to denote seated ancestors. The goanna is a totemic being, and its hunting patterns and ecological relationships are mirrored in human behavior. To maintain the health of the land and support the goanna population, it is necessary to burn the country regularly. Jagamarra references this practice with depictions of spinifex grass and hunting grounds, connecting mythological beings with tangible ecological practices, and blurring the line between story and science, belief and land management. The left canvas contains the Owl Dreaming, where an abstracted face of the owl can be discerned—haunting and watchful. The owl, a silent observer of the night, brings wisdom and a sense of foreboding. It is a powerful spirit presence in many Aboriginal traditions. Meanwhile, the right canvas turns to the Warna, or Snake Dreaming. The snake, winding and water-bound, is both creator and destroyer, and its movement echoes that of the river. The snake’s body, woven into a hypnotic spiral, is a symbolic representation of the waterways that give life and form to the central desert. This artwork is more than a painting—it is a teaching. It encodes knowledge about ecology, fire management, kinship roles, and sacred geography. It is both autobiographical and communal, a map of memory and belonging. Created within the living traditions of Warlpiri law, it speaks to the inseparable relationship between people and land in Aboriginal worldviews. Malcolm Maloney Jagamarra’s work is a powerful expression of this connection—his hand guided not only by brush but by heritage, ceremony, and Dreaming. Its journey from the Aboriginal Art Galleries of Australia in Melbourne to the Kelton Foundation in Santa Monica, and its exhibition at venues such as the Australian Consulate in Los Angeles and the Indigenous Wisdom and Healing Conference in Virginia Beach...

This work, which required months to complete, features the central figure of Akshobhyavajra, a Tibetan Buddha. Liu Yi, a Beijing-based painter and practicing Buddhist, paints each of...

Very fine oriental and large painting on canvas, mounted on wood, probably, 18th-19th century.