One Thousand Arms

Based on the One Thousand Armed Bodhisattva of Compassion, this work invites viewers to explore the role of compassion in their lives. The idea of action is central to the idea of compassion. Compassion is an active state, not an emotional state. Compassion is to suffer for, with, or on behalf of another. Compassion is to take on someone else’s suffering for them, to carry the load, to provide them relief from their burden. The viewer’s participation is symbolic of the act of compassion. The piece contains 998 “arms” with gallery visitors being invited to add their two arms to complete the piece. 

Installed at Open Concept Gallery, 2008