Spring Art + Design Faculty Lecture Series: Stephanie Nichols
This body of work is inspired by the circle. A circle is an ancient and universal symbol of unity, wholeness, infinity and the cosmos. From the earliest of times many believed that there was something intrinsically Divine or perfect that could be found in circles. Circles are sacred symbols in many religions and spiritual practices. In Buddhism it symbolizes Absolute enlightenment, strength, elegance, the Universe, the void and is an “expression of the moment”.
We as humans seek to avoid chaos and yearn for balance and symmetry. Yet our world is faced with many current challenges: climate change and the destruction of nature, large scale conflict, inequality, poverty, food and water security... There seems to be a grand disconnect between people and a lack of humanity, the root I believe to all our problems, we have forgotten we are all one.
‘A human being is part of the whole, called by us “Universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole [of] nature in its beauty.’ - Albert Einstein, 1950
For me the act of making circles,repeating forms and patterns acts as a meditative activity, a connection and expression of the infinite. With my use of circles there is an opportunity to perceive. Not explain, interpret or understand. But simply to be fully engaged, fully present, void of thought or meaning, just perceiving.
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