TIRTHAYATRA – Mixed Media on Illustration Board – ©2020 keven lock
The Sanskrit word “Trimurti” त्रिमूर्ति translates into English as “three forms”. In Smarti Hinduism, Trimurti is understood to refer to the supreme triple forms of Brahman which are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma adoring Kali
Anonymous/Unknown author – Public domain
These three aspects of Brahman are understood to manifest the creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe.
MANIFESTATION/SACRED RIVER
Mixed Media on Paper – ©2019 keven lock
Hindu Shaivites venerate Shiva as supreme and hold the view that Shiva manifests all of the actions of creation, preservation, and destruction.
Sadashiva
Christian Haugen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0
I have found contemplating Vedic concepts of the Trimurti to be rich with inspiration for my own art making.
In his excellent book, American Veda, Author Phillip Goldberg writes that India’s visual arts have been a minor influence on Western contemporary art as opposed to the huge influence Indian music has had on the Western scene.
Mr Goldberg further reports that Art Historian Debashish Banerji maintains that “it is because Indian painting has mainly been representational” unlike “Western trends toward abstraction and minimalism”.
My own research has shown me that this is quite true. Nonetheless, I’ve been hugely inspired by my Vedantic practice and also by abstract Tantric paintings from Rajasthan.
On my own path of art making I strive to discover and present imagery in a manner that emulates the oft quoted sentiment of jazz great John Coltrane: “I’d like to point out to people the divine in a musical language that transcends words.”
OBLATION – Mixed Media on Paper – ©2020 keven lock
Thanks for looking in!
Kev
ART, PRACTICE, & 