John Swogger has an exhibition of new prints at Rowanthorn on Beatrice St. in Oswestry, under the title of “Anitya”. The series of five prints will be exhibited one each month between now and December. John’s prints join paintings by Diana Baur as part of an “Art Works” partnership with Rowanthorn.
John’s prints explore the Buddhist concept of “Anitya”, or impermanence, with particular reference to culture, photography and Tibet. The prints draw their inspiration from the eastern flavour of Rowanthorn and the Tibetan and fair trade-sourced gifts, artwork and clothing Mike has in the store, as well as his own background as an archaeological illustrator. There’s more on the prints here.
Anitya – new prints by John G. Swogger
one each month: August – December, 2012
Rowanthorn, Beatrice St., Oswestry
Inside Out Art Group 
This reminds me of the Japanese aesthetic ‘wabi Sabi’. It is understood in terms of Zen philosophy, seeking beauty in imperfection and impermanence, particularly in the natural world. Wabi Sabi design elements value asymmetry, artless ness not artistry and concern about the materials used. Surprisingly it does not value symbolism, is that a divergence with Tibetan Buddhism?
Reference
Juniper, A. (2003) Wabi Sabi : the Japanese art of impermanence, United States of America:Tuttle
I’ve no idea, to be honest! I’m finding out all about this as I go along. As I understand it, “impermanence” in the Tibetan Buddhist sense is the idea that the world as we see and understand it is not a permanent thing, but that all elements of it are mutable – and, ultimately, not trustworthy. Each of the five prints in my series is named after one of the elements of impermanence – form, perception, etc. Visualising this in temple art seems to rely strongly on symbolism and stylisation, although this doesn’t seem heavily proscribed (unlike, for example, the sacred art of eastern Orthodoxy, or ancient Egypt). I think this is because the visual world – being part of the material – is all part of that “impermanence” and therefore, although meaningful, ultimately something not to get too worried about. But, as I say, I’m exploring all this as I go along – part of the reason for doing the print series is to use it as an excuse to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism and is visual world. I’ll send you some of the references I’ve been reading.
I seem to have been missing a lot of things while away for just two weeks! Must get in to Rowanthorn……….
I’m switching over the prints this week, so I’ll bring both into our Notebook Meeting if you like.