Mandalas by Barbra
Two paintings by my sister, Barbra Bloy, are now showing in an online exhibition called “Mandalas: Maps of Consciousness Order” at the Caladan Gallery.
For those of you unfamiliar with mandalas (and since the librarian in me is compelled to look things up), the Columbia Encyclopedia offers the following definition:
A concentric diagram having spiritual and ritual significance in Hindu and Buddhist Tantrism… The mandala is seen as a microcosm embodying the various divine powers at work in the universe, and it serves as a collection point for the gods and universal forces… The mandala symbolizes the totality of existence, inner or outer. Mandalas are used in meditation, particularly in Tibetan Buddhism… Similar ritual drawings have been found in the sand paintings of Native North Americans and in other traditions.
I’ve told Barbra that her mandalas are my favorite paintings that she’s done. I appreciate the symmetry, their representation of the universe, and the spiritual aspect of meditation, reflection of the universe and the divine powers that created it.
Would you like to see additional examples of her work? More of Barbra’s mandalas (plus a few other paintings) were posted a couple of years ago and are still available through MN Artists.org.
Nice work Barbra!
