Artwork title : South African Merkaba: Healing Meditation

The merkaba is an ancient symbol of unity and protection and appears in spiritual traditions from different cultures globally. In meditation, it can be used to connect to one's higher self and generate light and goodwill that can also be extended toward others.

This drawing was made during my 2023 artist residency in South Africa. The blue patches on the left and right represent the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The colors were mixed with water from both. It's said that ocean water is especially unifying because of the many lands and people it comes into contact with. The patterns in this drawing represent the speakers of South Africa's 11 official languages and the landmasses depict its nature and biomes.

Even though I'm not affiliated with any particular religion, I am a big fan of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his belief that the only way the country could heal and be unified after apartheid was through coming to terms with the past, acknowledgement of the harm done, and forgiveness.  I simply wanted to make an image that he might have liked.