MANTRA

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MANTRA:

(In Buddhism) A word or sound repeated to aid concentration in mediation.

MEANING

Though most of my work balances, this one does not! At least not in a literal sense! This meditating monk does, however, find his own balance internally as he levitates, enlightened above the world (metal block) he is anchored to. I have had a long-time fascination with the Buddhist religion and culture which was part of the inspiration for this design. The open hand and closed fist pose is meant to be a more aggressive meditative stance. I felt that making a stationary sculpture that embodied the metaphorical concept of internal “balance” would be am appropriate contrast from my normal work that literally balances. The fact that this meditating monk floats above the surface on only his sash really does display both types of balance though. The large block which he is anchored to is also symbolic - heavy, unmoving and solid, it is meant to be a metaphor for the very thing that keeps us weighted down also is the thing that brings us stability; a deeper metaphor for finding balance in everything.

MAKING OF

I spent a total of 6 days welding, grinding, cutting, polishing, re-cutting, re-welding this monk until he was just right. I started with his internal structure and used build-up welds to add flesh and muscle. After his body was completed THEN I was able to do more build-up welds for his clothing. The orange coloring of his robes is powder coated and then distressed for a textured effect. Using a strong stainless steel wire wheel, I was able to rip through some of the coating to allow the metal to shine through and give more depth and interest to the robes as well as create a more natural visual appearance to match his raw stainless steel skin. I made his traditional Mala necklace by creating tiny stainless steel balls with my TIG welder. I then made very small tack welds and strung them all together one weld at a time.

Using a very hard and special type of steel for his “sash”, he is welded to a very heavy and old block of steel. His sash holds him up and he will wiggle a little bit if you move him but will become still shortly after or if you simply settle him with your hand. The block he is welded to is from the 1950’s and used to be a block used in precision machining. I love the fact that his base has some history to it and is now being repurposed!