“The Universe” | 48" x 66” | Acrylic and charcoal on canvas

A homage to a work by Sengai Gibson, a Zen painter, I saw at the Kennin-ji temple in Kyoto, Japan, years ago.
“The circle-triangle-square is Sengai’s picture of the universe. The circle represents the infinite, which is the basis of all beings. But the infinite in itself is formless. We humans, endowed with senses and intellect, demand tangible forms. Hence, a triangle. The triangle is the beginning of all forms. Out of it first comes the square. A square is a double triangle. This doubling process goes on infinitely, and we have a multitudinously of things, which the Chinese philosopher calls ‘the ten thousand things’, that is, the universe.” Suzuki

These shapes resonated with me, and I have long revered their simplicity and complexity. Like a Zen riddle, it’s infinitely deep and meditative, but also are the shapes that make up everything we see. ◼️🔵🔺