Buddha Art

Hubris

This is an image created by the elusive and anonymous graffiti artist Banksy. I found it to be rather compelling.

What say you all?

possibilities

yes, that's a different spin! Very intriguing. Where did you come across this? And where is the actual painting?

Hubris

@Possibilities A friend of mine showed it to me, and honestly I am not sure where the work was found, I sort of got the feeling it might have been in the UK, though I imagine with some Googling we could discern more.

Banksy, as the artist calls himself (herself?) is elusive, no one knows who they are, and their work just pops up in random places. That's really all I know, however I plan to do some research today and see if I can learn more.

I posted to see people's reaction to it. Mine was positive because I appreciate art, and artistic license. I was curious to see how many people, if any, would find it offensive to see the Buddha altered.

My take on this is that it speaks to me of the Tibetan people, and their struggles, hence the battered Buddha. As you can see he has a black eye, bandaged hand, bloody nose, and a neck brace. So, it was a strong statement to me.

possibilities

Hi @Hubris -- good to know there is another art lover/appreciator on this forum (as you already demonstrated w the Tibetan sand sculpture :-) )

I checked for info on the beat up Buddha and found this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenwood100/2479004360/ Another post on flickr also said the painting was pretty much gone. Given its date, 2008, that is to be expected.
I also found lots of people trying to make a buck off of this public art, selling or rather offering prints for up to $350 ... Yikes. :-(

My interpretation of this piece didn't take me to distant lands. I didn't really create anything but an instinctive affirmative reaction at first, but thinking about it, I feel that anyone can get beat up like that and look like that (maybe just on the inside) even if one is a buddha. Another angle: this is what could happen if Buddha returned today, into our (un)changed world, reigned by prejudice and intolerance.

Good talking to you :thumbsup:


The text underneath the photo on flickr: British street artist Banksy - his Buddha with neck brace, bandaged hand, bloody nose and black eye. Seen at Leake Street, London. Cans Festival, May 2008
Now painted over. -- just in case the link above gets removed.

SattvaPaul

For me it evoked some feelings about people not being true/respectful to their Buddha-nature - by creating suffering for ourselves and others, we are abusing our own Buddha. On some level I can also see some parallel with Christ on the cross in that.

@Hubris - have you seen the film about Banksy called "Exit Through the Gift Shop"?

Hubris

@sattvapaul No, I have not, is it available on YouTube? If not I imagine my resourceful (ex) gf could locate it for me

person

I feel bad for the guy, but despite it all he remains firm in his posture and mudra. I see it as a depiction of spiritual strength in the face of difficulty.

SattvaPaul

@Hubris - it's here.

Hubris

@sattvapaul, Thank you very much Will have a look.