Pond Life

A new large oil painting on canvas (130 x 150cm) was inspired by a group of granite monoliths in a lagoon situated on the banks of the River Dart on the Sharpham Trust estate.

This sculptural installation was commissioned by Maurice Ash and Ruth Elmhirst who lived at Sharpham Manor where they developed a rural community with a spiritual Buddhist leaning. They commissioned this work from the sculptor Jacob Lane in the 1990’s. Jacob Lanes website (http://jacoblane.co.uk/sculptures)  informs us that the stones came from Dartmoor. The stones were held in place by driving 40 foot wooden piles into the pond mud: ” the vibrant energy of the stone spires speaks of the ever-renewing tides of birth and death as eternity enters time“.

The Sharpham Trust (www.sharphamtrust.org) is now a centre for mindfulness retreats and teaching with a focus on creating a compassionate and sustainable world. It is positioned in the stunningly beautiful dramatic Devon countryside.

I have been on Buddhist retreats at Sharpham and wondered if the seven stones might be the representing the seven factors of awakening! However their forms are rooted in Druid forms and designs featuring the curve of the Moon, the Eye Goddess, the Horned God, the horned snake, and the Phallus: all are standing in the Godesses shimmering waters  which receive and return their reflections. Some have carved designs: spirals and circles.

Seven Factors of awakening: Mindfulness, Investigation, Courage, Joy, Serenity, Gatheredness/Concentration & Equanimity.