Meditations

Meditation can be defined by its two persistent qualities: the repetition of a phrase or utterance, and deep, prolonged contemplation. These aspects of meditative art allow for its seamless integration into contemporary art practice, complementing abstraction, minimalism, and performance.

In two significant ways, contemporary artists have consciously or unconsciously adopted meditation in their work. The first, repetition of gesture, parallels the repeated utterance of Buddhist chants or the meditative practice of repeated sutra writing, until the words are completely disconnected from their meanings. The final product is not merely a painting or drawing, but a physical record of the time expended in the creation of a work. These artists embrace the act of mark making as a meditation itself—for many, a daily practice, truly integral to their lives.

However, meditative art comprises not only repeated gesture, but also prolonged contemplation by the artist and viewer. These pieces create space for moments of pause, and invite prolonged looking and extended contemplation from the viewer.