Mandala Public Art Project

description

The mandala is a reflection or expression of our inner self, our inner positive qualities. The mandala conveys messages of love, compassion, kindness, patience and contentment for individual development and for peace in the world also. I am doing this project for all of the above reasons. I am currently doing a Masters in Art in Public at the University of Ulster in Belfast. It is a great privilege and opportunity for me as an artist to be able to engage the public in my art practice and to make something meaningful that has a universal message.

Mandalas are found in many different cultures and religions so they are quite universal. This is very important to emphasise because I want the work to be inviting to all and not just particular people or groups.

In nature itself the mandala can be found, from the simple snail, trees, flowers, and the earth itself. From atoms to the solar system, each one being a mandala and being apart of an even bigger mandala, the connections that live between everything and us are apparent all around us when we take the time to really look. These connections bring us together and yet we are all still unique just like every mandala is unique. It’s this concept that interests me about the mandala, we are all connected and all unique.

I want to create a space in the gallery for meditation and contemplation, a poetic space, a space that is resonate and powerful. Rather than an abstract neutral piece of artwork this will be an invitation for people to come and be in the space and connect with themselves. Here participants can collectively process between the artwork, the space and themselves.

The installation piece will be enhanced by how people interact with it. This is a very important element to my work. The work of itself is not necessarily enough on its own; it’s people within the space that will complete it. I am interested in the natural landscape. Like Richard Longs work I like to bring the natural world into the gallery so I will include some natural materials to the piece. These materials are free but the materials for the sculptural and lights components are not. I will use clay and plaster to make sphere shapes which will hang from a wooden frame suspended from the ceiling. I will need to buy wood for the frame and I will need to buy lights for the lighting functions. These are my main costs. I estimate the costs of these materials to be approximately £300. I need £50 for transporting people to and from the sights where we will be making the mandalas and the final £150 I will use to publish a book which will tell the story of the entire project. The book will be displayed in the exhibition and be distributed to the funders.

I hope you will support this project and also engage with it when it comes to life!