- 16
Master of the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat, b. 1943
bidding is closed
Description
- Master of the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat
- A Delicate Balance
- ink and watercolor on cloud-dragon paper
signed MASTER OF THE WATER, PINE AND STONE RETREAT, inscribed, dated 2015, and with five seals of the artist
Inscription:
Alchemy is a strange process and has been since the dawn of history. Only the deluded believe that it is possible to transform base metal into gold and only the opportunistic believe it worth the effort to falsely convince other that it is possible. Such a transformation is a metaphor. What matters in alchemy, finally, is balance. Balance between the world of red dust and the realm beyond the Stage of Time; balance between realization and integration; balance between intent and indifference; balance between interior and exterior; balance between self and other – all of which make up the balance of fully-evolved consciousness. In China the concept of the Realized Man hovered above reality throughout history. The Realized man was the sage who had transcended the world of distinction, the realm of illusion as the Buddhists have it, and unified with undifferentiated reality to then continue as avatar. The practice of alchemy provided a lower-level attempt at such Realization, something to cling to. But the practise of alchemy was ultimately always concerned with transformation of consciousness rather than of any element of physical reality.
With brush in hand I am an alchemist, finding balance, finding harmony, finding integration - finding delight. I have long since discarded my crucible, alembic, and reagents in favour of brush, ink and paper.
Inscribed by the Master of the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat at the Garden at the Edge of the Universe in the Spring of 2015 engulfed in wonder.
Inscription:
Alchemy is a strange process and has been since the dawn of history. Only the deluded believe that it is possible to transform base metal into gold and only the opportunistic believe it worth the effort to falsely convince other that it is possible. Such a transformation is a metaphor. What matters in alchemy, finally, is balance. Balance between the world of red dust and the realm beyond the Stage of Time; balance between realization and integration; balance between intent and indifference; balance between interior and exterior; balance between self and other – all of which make up the balance of fully-evolved consciousness. In China the concept of the Realized Man hovered above reality throughout history. The Realized man was the sage who had transcended the world of distinction, the realm of illusion as the Buddhists have it, and unified with undifferentiated reality to then continue as avatar. The practice of alchemy provided a lower-level attempt at such Realization, something to cling to. But the practise of alchemy was ultimately always concerned with transformation of consciousness rather than of any element of physical reality.
With brush in hand I am an alchemist, finding balance, finding harmony, finding integration - finding delight. I have long since discarded my crucible, alembic, and reagents in favour of brush, ink and paper.
Inscribed by the Master of the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat at the Garden at the Edge of the Universe in the Spring of 2015 engulfed in wonder.