Putting Zen on canvas

Just like following the Buddha’s teachings can liberate and ease the mind and body, painting him on canvas can have a similar effect. Especially if done in the hues of red, pink and orange is hard to miss. And is certainly true with artist Sarfaraz Laskari’s interpreting of Buddha in vibrant colours.

Taking place at the Cosmic Heart Gallery, the series called Kensho in Zen tradition  — that translates Ken to ‘seeing’ and Sho to nature — means ‘Seeing into one’s true nature’.   And just like the title suggests, the collection comprises lyrically abstracted Buddhas and a stunning representation of nature. For the artist, his work is an homage to the self and one’s meditative state.

“The icon of Buddha portrays you and me. Like him, we are all spiritual seekers. And that, to me, is very empowering. He used every opportunity to awaken, whether in daily life, in the dream time or even during the death process. Anyone with Buddhi, i.e an awakened mind, is a Buddha,” says Laskari.

Through these paintings, the artist aims to give the viewer a pure and direct experience, where both, the inner and outer worlds are in sync. “I want my art to lead you back to the formless, which is the original reason for all art, i.e to be an access point to the sacred. So that when you see or experience it, you experience yourself and find the formless shining through the form,” adds the interior designer by profession.

The exhibition will also showcase ‘Shikantaza’ series, which in its true sense means to sit and depict the practice of Zen Buddhism that involves understanding emptiness. The purpose of Shikantaza is to move beyond our interpretations of reality and actualise emptiness. Among the series of Zen paintings is also the beautiful Lotus series and the Pipala series, depicting the fig tree under which the Buddha achieved enlightenment. Another is the Rushen series, denoting and depicting clarity, and a Nature series that also forms a unique part of the exhibition.

When asked about his unique choice of colours, Laskari opines that the colours and mediums have the final world about what they want to manifest through each work. “I feel the purpose of art is to make one attentive and re-engage the observer with reality. Hence, I have used a vibrant palette,” he explains.

With the use of alcohol inks and fluid mediums in the paintings, the artist emphasises engaging one’s instincts, as the process is a lot more spontaneous. For this exhibition, the artist’s approach is less structured as compared to acrylics and oil mediums.

For Laskari, it is the joy of painting and the sensual experience that makes the experience zen worthy for him. “Zen can’t be defined. It has no business with ideas. The concepts and ideas precedent in Buddhism have a deep affinity to the spiritual, transcendental, and intimate natures we all share,” he concludes.