Tantra: Contemporary Tantric Paintings

These images, by the great master, Vyakul, as well as by artists in local workshops are small, concise works, pure and jewel-like in colour.

Little has been written about contemporary tantric painting, although it seems it appeared in its current form in the seventeenth century – perhaps the first signs of abstraction in an already ancient and civilised culture – and has since altered very little. The significance of various symbols which often appear in the works is not always clear. There are, however, some important clues to the understanding of these works. For example, in tantric art it is known that blue is the colour of purity and both the spiral and arrows denote energy. Combined, these signs can be read and interpreted – and each painting intentionally becomes a perfect site for contemplation.

In many ways the works are very close to forms of western contemporary art. As in conceptual art and minimalism, the aspiration is both abstract and symbolic – to strip away all but the most vital, and to distil meaning in a single colour, stroke or emblem. To western eyes, the paintings appear both formally decorative – pure colour and design on hand made or re-used paper, and highly complex.

These symbols are ancient and yet appear in all civilisations. In our time their meanings are lost, or forgotten, but their occurrence familiar. The paintings are transcendent, crossing time and culture – as relevant and beautiful here, as for the artists who made them.

Works by these artists were included in the exhibition ‘Magiciens de la Terre’, at the Centre George Pomidou, Paris, in 1989.