Western Buddhist artists
Western art has been influenced by Buddhist thought since its arrival in the west in the mid-late 1800's. This can be seen in the work of artists such as Van Gogh, Gauguin, Marcel Duchamp and, more recently, Bill Viola, Suzanne Lacy and many more.
The visual artists represented here are practicing Buddhists who also share this influence. We can get a taste from the variety of work shown here how this ancient tradition is beginning to meet our contemporary world and consciousness.
This is the start of what we hope will be a substantial collection of images produced by Western Buddhist artists. You can contact the artist if you wish to enquire about a commission and you can also buy prints or downloads of their work, which will help support their ongoing work. They are presented here in the order in which they entered into this collaboration.
.jpg "photograph of Buddha, click to go to Padmakara's page")
Padmakara
Padmakara has many interests and in recent years this has included creative photography which has resulted in several exhibitions in the North of England. He resides in the Buddhist hot-spot of Mossley, near Manchester, and is wonderful not least because he volunteers time at Clear Vision (currently digitally archiving Sangharakshita's photos)!
.jpg "photograph of Prajnaparamita painting, click to go to Amitajyoti's page")
Amitajyoti
Amitajyoti is a practising Buddhist artist based in London. She creates Buddhist devotional images to commission as well as paintings incorporating a wider base of imagery drawn from sketch book drawings, poetry and literature, the imagination, and our western visual arts tradition.
Aloka
Aloka has been creating images for many years and now resides in Norwich, where he continues to pursue his own artwork as well as commissions for others.
Chintamani
Chintamani has created several 'classic' images popular in the FWBO, and more recently has been creating more Buddha rupas than 2-D paintings. More info to follow!
Aryacitta
Aryacitta lives and teaches in Southend. More info to follow!
Visuddhimati
Visuddhimati lives in London where she combines her artwork with teaching meditation.