The image on the left, created by the Balinese artist I Nyoman Darsane in 1978, can be interpreted in two ways: either as portraying a Balinese woman worshiper who is praying to Jesus believed as the supernatural Light coming down from heaven and then dwelling among human beings as the true human, or as relating the supernatural cosmic event of the Word, the Logos, becoming the true human being through the womb of the devout virgin Mary. The yellow sun in the background signifies the supernatural realm from which the Word has come down.
The woman is taking the position and attitude of a humble worshiper and believer before her god, a particular position and attitude common to the Balinese people while performing a religious ritual.
The woman holds a white Lotus blossom between her fingers, a blossom understood by Eastern religions as symbolizing holiness, purity, divinity, enlightenment, unity of all creatures, compassion, self transformation, health, peace, serenity and life.
On the edges of the frame we can see images of evil spirits or demons which have been made scattered, cornered and defeated by the power of the divine light emanating from the whole body of the Word-becoming-human. The various demons on this painting represent one mythical being known by Balinese people as Banaspasti Raja, meaning King of the Forest.
The painting of Nyoman Darsane can be compared with the almost entirely similar painting which was created in 2005 by Sawai Chinnawong, the Thai artist who employs the northern and central Thailand’s popular distinctive artistic style originally used to portray Buddhist moral principle and other religious themes, to express the artist’s combined Christian-Buddhist perspective. The ball of light held by the hands of Christ that signifies the Holy Spirit will soon enter the womb of the humble woman Mary, making her pregnant by God’s spirit in order to give birth to the true human Jesus. Unfortunately, the dog sleeping soundly in front of her does not know this supernatural cosmic event; it has absolutely nothing to do with mythology.
Feb 3, 2011
The opening day of the lunar Chinese new year 2562, the year of the golden rabbit
