GASWORKS 'FROM NATURE' WHOLENESS MANDALA
Wholeness Mandala
From Nature exhibition at the Gasworks Arts Park. Port Melbourne
Saturday 3 - Sunday 11 November 2019
From Nature exhibition at the Gasworks Arts Park. Port Melbourne
Saturday 3 - Sunday 11 November 2019
The Wholeness Mandala was an interactive gratitude-focused eco-art project.
Mandala' comes from the Sanskrit word ‘circle’. Throughout history mandalas have been used in different cultures to represent a spiritual connection with the universe. Usually round with intricate symmetrical patterns and shapes, mandalas re-establish and strengthen relationships within the natural world and ourselves.
"The ancient art form can help remind us of our relation to the infinite, the world that extends both beyond and within our bodies and minds." -Dr. Theresa Sweeney
The intent of this Wholeness Mandala is to focus on Gratitude for Nature. Karen and Deb created the mandala and invited the public to sensorially explore and expand it. When onsite, they facilitated methods for deep sensory interaction or the public can experience and share the experience via the self-guided link. (disabled after event)
“Each person’s life is like a mandala – a vast, limitless circle. We stand in the center of our own circle, and everything we see, hear and think forms the mandala of our life.” -Pema Chodron
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Other participant visual interactions and reflections:
“It feels so peaceful to be standing here" "I'm loving all the patterns “ "I really relate to all the collections they drew you in - I love to look closely at collections of things especially things in nature“ "It's lovely to take time and look...“ "This mandala has an energy" “I love it, how long did it take?” |
THE WHOLENESS MANDALA FACILITATORS
Karen Hopkins is an Artist and Eco-Art Therapy student. Deborah Punton is an Ecopsychologist and Eco-art facilitator. They met at a Sacred Ecology weekend workshop in 2018 and formed a friendship over conversing about creativity, art and nature. Please follow if you wish to hear more about Karen and Debs exhibitions, workshops and to be involved with interactive Eco-Art projects.
Karen Hopkins is an Artist and Eco-Art Therapy student. Deborah Punton is an Ecopsychologist and Eco-art facilitator. They met at a Sacred Ecology weekend workshop in 2018 and formed a friendship over conversing about creativity, art and nature. Please follow if you wish to hear more about Karen and Debs exhibitions, workshops and to be involved with interactive Eco-Art projects.
Karen Hopkins (artist ) www.karenhopkinsart.com
Love, respect of nature is a constant inspiration in Karen’s artwork. She works from photographs, sketches and visual memories of light, texture, colour form to create artworks works that encourage us to reflect on our perpetually evolving connections to the natural world. Through her paintings and quirky sculpture she aims to take the viewer on a journey and explore the deeper levels that connect us all. "The mandala, through its intricate layers has the effect of reminding us of the circular motions and cycles of life, the infinitude of the universe, and our connection to all. Because of these precious lessons, the mandala has the ability to be a powerful meditation tool." - Ester Eckhaus |
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Thank you
We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, their elders past, present and emerging.
We are thankful to:
Gasworks Arts Park 'From Nature' Tracey and event organizers
Dr. Michael Cohen, Dr. Theresa Sweeney and Dr. Stacey Mallory from Project NatureConnect and Eco-Art Therapy
The public collaboraborative Eco-Artists and everyone who chose to enter the mandala and experience deeper reflections.
We are thankful to:
Gasworks Arts Park 'From Nature' Tracey and event organizers
Dr. Michael Cohen, Dr. Theresa Sweeney and Dr. Stacey Mallory from Project NatureConnect and Eco-Art Therapy
The public collaboraborative Eco-Artists and everyone who chose to enter the mandala and experience deeper reflections.
Details
Visitors were free to wander on timber stepping stones, meditate, or sit on the 2 seat logs to be 'in the mandala.'
Prompts: What does it feel like? Participants were welcome to mindfully expand the mandala while creatively expressing gratitude to Nature for all of the natural elements that support our lives.
Deb trialed technology combined with nature method of connecting deeply with nature and reflect on experiences.
Thank you for sharing images and comments from your interactive experience and with your consent!
Prompts: What does it feel like? Participants were welcome to mindfully expand the mandala while creatively expressing gratitude to Nature for all of the natural elements that support our lives.
Deb trialed technology combined with nature method of connecting deeply with nature and reflect on experiences.
Thank you for sharing images and comments from your interactive experience and with your consent!
Creative Collaborations
Connecting Nature and the human experience through creative collaborations to create awareness of sustainable living practices.
Connecting Nature and the human experience through creative collaborations to create awareness of sustainable living practices.
If you wish to collect materials to extend mandalas... please ask Nature for consent. (For more info, see self-guided button above or talk with Deb) It helps to ensure nothing is taken from a living plant or that the natural material is not needed by a smaller being. Leaves and bark break down to form nutrients for trees, shells are essential to the beach ecosystem, bees, insects and birds need the flowers and seed pods may be a habitat.. Many insects species and insect eating birds are rapidly in decline across the world so to help, please be mindful and respectful of what natural areas you disturb and what to take. Btw, see Insect habitats for a fun project that can help our insect friends!