MEDITATIVE MANDALAS - An Exhibition Featuring New Works by Rafael (Rafi) Anteby

    LOS ANGELES, CA, March 09, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Drawing inspiration from his years of travel through Southeast Asia, Rafael Anteby presents a body of work, which includes photographs, bronze sculptures, charcoal powder paintings, watercolors, sand carvings, and mineral mandalas.

Having formerly studied under the guidance of Tibetan monks, the artist utilizes ancient techniques to fabricate intricate mandalas out of sand, 24-karat Thai gold, diamonds and other semi-precious stones. Varieties include turquoise, amber, rose quartz, goethite, amethyst, red opal, and hematite - all of which originate from the Tibetan-Himalayan region.

The mandala, the ancient Sanskrit symbol for the universe and its sacred geometry, forms the focus of the exhibition with ohm as the vital force. As the vibrating frequency at the core of the creation myth, it is a motif recurring repeatedly.

Mandala-making is a revered form of meditation, the temporal exercise is a study in the pursuit of precision and patience. Once the pattern is created, the monks wash away the minerals, only to begin the meditation again. An astounding sense of serenity is instilled in this spiritual lifestyle. Anteby, like the monks, invests hundreds of painstaking hours in each design. Using authentic artisanal tools, he has perfected the tedious process by funneling the grains of sand through a metal flute upon which he strums; grains cascade with each pass of the baton-like instrument.

His designs are rooted in the visual imagery adorning the remote sites from his journeys. Monasteries in the Himalayan mountains of Tibet, Burma, and Chiang Mai presented brilliant iconography: models of tantric mandalas, symbols in architectural features, and intricate thangkas (traditional Buddhist and Hindu paintings on cotton).

Anteby learned the essential techniques of infinitely slow and delicate performance of charcoal painting in Northern Thailand during his tenure under an indigenous Thai Monk in the ancient temple city of Chiang Mai. The works require layer upon layer of powder to create depth and volume. In manipulating one color, enhanced by the thickening of its pigment, Anteby controls the effects of light and shadow, creating definition and texture. The practice requires adept handling and precision in his brushwork; a brute stroke can destroy hundreds of hours of labor. A dying art form, the charcoal powder painting practice is rarely exercised, and, hence, rarely imparted unto others. The series features the vibrant colors and personalities from his encounters abroad. The simplicity and humility of these characters affected him deeply. With each, he engaged in conversation and probed into customs. It is his intention to imbue each with the vitality and energy that invigorated his experiences. Anteby now gives permanence to these otherwise ethereal, fleeting designs with natural minerals collected from across the globe.

"I collected sand from my travels, varying in texture and color. Each grain represents the people I have met from all over the world. When I place the material within the mandala it becomes more than a meditative symbol of healing and focus, it encompasses harmony, diversity and the unity that we collectively create in the world." - Rafael Anteby

Rafi is best known for his high fashion celebrity endorsed jewelry line he created, "Bullets 4 Peace." Bullets 4 Peace collects used bullet casings from around the world giving them a new purpose, a handcrafted jewelry line symbolic of peace. By using a bullet, being a most controversial symbol and turning it into a fashion accessory, he successfully established a platform to raise awareness, and in doing so harnessed the unprecedented support of many international celebrities, musicians and peers, creating a worldwide sensation.

A percentage of the exhibits proceeds benefit children victims of warfare in Burma. Anteby works with several schools collecting educational materials as well as spending several weeks each year teaching the children martial arts and meditation techniques such as, Kung Fu and Tai Chi, to help overcome trauma and build self esteem.

Social Media & Website Links :
Facebook Invite : https://www.facebook.com/events/258693701231135/
Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/bullets4peace
Instagram : www.instagram.com/rafael.anteby
Instagram : www.instagram.com/bullets4peace
Website : http://www.bullets4peace.com/
Bullets 4 Peace Gallery: http://www.bullets4peace.com/photo-gallery)

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