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Original Paintings
The 25 framed Originals on exhibit
are framed and available for sale. Since the Originals
are one-of-a-kind and of the highest, most difficult
to find quality, they are priced accordingly. Each
Original is presented in museum quality, archival mat
and custom designed frame along with a Certificate
of Authenticity, for insurance and collection purposes.
Click here for a list of the Original paintings and
their prices.
Limited Edition Giclée
Prints
We have commissioned collector
quality, limited edition (500 each) giclée prints
in the Original size of each painting. There are a small
number of giclées available for immediate purchase.
Due to space considerations at East West, many are being
stored at the framer’s for archival purposes. Limited
Editions can be ordered and shipped to you unframed within
a few days or up to three weeks if frames are ordered.
If you have any questions on giclées, click
here to contact the Gallery Director.
The Giclée Process
used to reproduce the Madhubani paintings is the same
process used by the Metropolitan Museum, the Vatican
and other fine art museums. It is impossible to tell
the difference between the giclée print and
the Original without a high-powered jeweler’s
loop.
Each Original size giclée is hand-numbered
and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, verifying
that it is the exact number of a limited edition run.
Pricing of the limited edition giclée is based
on size. Click here for
a list of the giclée
prints and their prices.
Desk Size Giclees
Perfect
as gifts or grouped together for an interesting wall
display, we have created “desk sized” giclée
prints. These are the same quality
as the numbered, limited editions, but in a smaller
size in acid free mat that fits standard, ready made
11” x
14” frames. |
Example of Kayastha Style
#17
Jaladevi
14” x 11”
Example of Brahmin Style
#22
Divine Mother Kali
30” x 22”
Example of Goidana Style
#19
Surya Mandala With Fishes
22” x 15”
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The Madhubani Tradition
Located in the forests of
the Bihar region of northern India, near the foothills
of the Himalayas, is the birthplace of the Madhubani,
literally translated as “forest of honey.” Here,
in a centuries-old tradition passed from mother to
daughter, colorful paintings are created on handmade
paper with natural pigments. In Indian fashion, the
paper is still placed on the ground and painted directly
on the earth instead of on an easel or table.
For hundreds of years
these images were drawn and painted on the temple and
home walls or floors to celebrate the seasons, weddings
and religious festivals. After a devastating drought
in the 1970’s, the Indian government encouraged
local women to transfer their art to paper to create
a new, self-supporting cottage industry. This movement
first enabled the Madhubani to share their art with
India and the world. Artists still today largely remain
anonymous because their art is community based and
an offering to the deities, rather than an individual
expression.
The subject matter of Madhubani
art is primarily tantric images of gods, goddesses,
spiritual realms and Hindu mythology/philosophy.
There are several “styles” of
art and often style elements may be combined.
The Kayastha
Tradition is single line color work usually in black,
with occasional touches of a second color like red
or yellow. The drawings of trees, birds, flowers, sun,
fishes and snakes in rich bordered designs were Originally
used to decorate the bridal chamber with symbols of
fertility. #17 Jaladevi is an example of the Kayastha
Style.
The Brahmin Tradition features lavishly decorated
figures with rich colors, flowing designs with storytelling
and more esoteric iconography. Most of the paintings
in this show are in the Brahmin Tradition. #21 Pancha
Kosha and #22 Divine Mother Kali are examples of the
Brahmin Style.
The Goidana or Tattoo Tradition, are
line drawings in a more primitive style divided into
repetitious horizontal or circular margins. #19 Surya
with Fishes is an example of the Goidana Style mixed
with Kayastha.
To be able to more fully appreciate
Madhubani art, one must become aware of the spiritual
roots of Hinduism, Vedantic philosophy and the Tantric
Tradition. The stories of gods and goddesses sporting
among themselves and interacting with human beings,
is a rich and complex mythology. Symbols of male and
female (Shiva and Shakti), weapons (swords, clubs,
spears), body parts (skulls, huge eyes, severed limbs),
animals (tigers, crows, fish), planets (sun, moon),
the seasons, agriculture and nature all combine in
brilliant color to tell a story of that which is unseen,
the spirit realm beyond the physical body and senses.
The Madhubani paintings are often called tantric
because Tantra is an art and science that provides
a synthesis between spirit and matter, helping a human
being to realize their fullest potential in all areas.
Rather than denying the material, physical realm, Tantra
embraces it as a vehicle for spiritual enlightenment.
So the tantric adept pays close attention to the connection
points, i.e. the subtleties of the breath, energy fields,
movement of nature, archetypes, the mirror of the macrocosm
and microcosm, sound and an awareness of his/her internal
states. These activities are beautifully expressed
in the Madigan tradition, in symbols that can be used
for meditation, reflection and self-study.
Click here for a list of the paintings,
their commentary and pricing. |
