Gilded Vellum Photographs
Artist Statement
Imagine two impassioned people with divergent viewpoints in a debate, each challenging the other with energetic conviction to express their ideas. Then imagine each person shaking hands at the end of the debate with pure appreciation for the hard work that each other did to defend their respective points of view. CHALLENGER DEFENDER, is about the Tibetan monastic debates which are an ancient practice and a traditional form of education performed by Buddhist monks, as a series of theatrical gestures. The purpose is for both the ‘challenger’ and the ‘defender’ to express and defend how they interpret and feel about various topics of Tibetan scriptures. The monks learn to think critically and to apply their own reason and logic before deriving at their points of view.
In the current climate of world upheaval, this seems to be a timely reminder that emphasizes compassion and respect as an essential characteristic of humanity.
I chose to gild these photographs on vellum and to present them in 8” X 4” book matts between two wooden panels, to allude to the Tibetan Buddhist scriptures as well as the gilded covers of many Tibetan Buddhist manuscripts, I had seen.
Please visit my website for information about my collectors edition box sets, and one set of prints (offered in two sizes: 3 inch square and 8 inch square) which are offered as separate images. nancyascherlfineart.com