4′ x 8′
Cut paper.

This piece is based on Thic Quang Duc, the Buddhist monk who burnt himself alive in protest against the persecution of Buddhists by South Vietnam’s Diem administration. This event is widely considered the turning point for the Vietnamese Buddhist crisis.

Based on the structure of the lotus flower, one of the eight auspices of buddhism, the piece is composed of three levels of imagery. The lowest level of skulls represent the material world. Pollinating butterflies represent experience. The geometric patterns towards the top represent enlightenment which Thic Quang Duc is said to have reached in meditation prior to his death.

The piece, which is handcut out of a single sheet of paper had video footage of the event playing over it. Transforming the work with every scene and making the drawing and the video communicate with each other. Watch the video here.