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"Bindu" by Jay McCafferty, circa 1981

About the Item

"Bindu" by Jay McCafferty, 1981 Solar burns on paper, framed behind glass, 3' x 5' A singular work of quiet intensity, Bindu by Jay McCafferty reveals the meditative force behind his distinctive solar burn technique. Created in 1981, this 3-by-5-foot piece is composed entirely of marks made by sunlight—each burn meticulously placed using a magnifying glass to focus the sun’s rays directly onto paper. The result is a pattern both organic and rhythmic, evoking lacework, constellations, or coded language, depending on the viewer’s gaze. McCafferty, a Southern California native (1948–2021), was known not only for his pioneering use of nontraditional mediums but also for his influential presence within the California conceptual art movement. After receiving his MFA from UC Irvine, he began experimenting with process-driven works that emphasized repetition, labor, and environmental interaction. His “solar burn” series emerged from these ideas, translating the ephemeral force of sunlight into lasting visual form. The title Bindu—a Sanskrit word meaning "point" or "seed"—reflects McCafferty’s philosophical alignment with stillness, introspection, and the passage of time. Each mark on this surface is both literal and metaphorical: a physical trace of a single sunbeam and a symbolic gesture toward the slow, deliberate unfolding of form. McCafferty’s work is held in major institutional collections including the Museum of Modern Art, LACMA, and the Getty. Pieces like Bindu underscore his unique approach to material and time, offering viewers not just visual beauty, but a deeper encounter with patience, presence, and the sublime.
  • Creator:
    Jay McCafferty (Artist)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 36 in (91.44 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1980-1989
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1981
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Palm Desert, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1661245194312

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