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TaniaLaCariaStudio

Akeru

Akeru

Regular price $500.00 CAD
Regular price Sale price $500.00 CAD
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38” x 40”
acrylic and ink on canvas

 

The Japanese word “akeru” is quite a complicated verb, actually, it’s more of a concept. It can be simplified to mean “to open”, but to limit the translation of Akeru to a single verb in English would be to diminish a beautiful philosophy.

Akeru also means “to pierce”, “to empty”, “to end”, “to begin” - yes, all those things that seem contradictory describe the same verb! It seemed odd to me at first, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. That there cannot be one without the other - there cannot be a beginning without an end. This concept creates inspiring imagery in my mind that resembles a sphere of powerful energy, and is the inspiration behind this painting.

Imagine that you hold a ball of energy inside your heart for everyone and everything in your life that you care about. Imagine a strong orb of energy for each of your loved ones that is suspended in midair. You care for these orbs, protect them, tend to the energy they emit, but at some point, inevitably, some orbs will burst open. You will experience loss. You will lose people you love. They will depart from this Earth, or from your life, that’s just a simple truth.

But what if instead of focusing on the loss, you start to focus on the space that is now available for something new?  I imagine this orb of energy to split open like a lotus flower, slowly at first until the light starts rushing out in all directions. In the nature of Akeru, the orb has been pierced, it is leaking, it is opening, but it doesn’t disappear even if the energy rushes out of it. You are left with a vessel that is empty, but you are not empty. It is not exclusively a loss. It is an opportunity. It is Akeru - the end that is also the beginning. The emptying that has made space for refilling.

Life is a cycle of death and rebirth, destruction and rebuilding. It’s a circle that continues on and on, over and over. That is what this painting means - that with loss also comes recovery. The end can be a beginning. That with the emptiness that loss left behind, comes space for something new, something more.

 

More info about this product:

This painting was hand-stretched by the artist in her studio and is very light-weight for wall hanging. It can be hung as an exposed canvas, or framed in a floating wood frame for a more polished look. This painting comes with a hand-written artist statement and signature. If you purchase this painting you will be contacted by the artist for more information about pick-up options in downtown Hamilton, Ontario, or delivery/shipping information. Please note that the buyer is responsible for any shipping charges and/or for picking up the painting, but the artist will facilitate the process by obtaining quotes, packaging the product safely, and bringing it to a shipping centre at no extra cost. Reach out to the artist directly through the Contact page for any inquiries regarding this piece.

*This is an original painting by Tania LaCaria, there is only one in the world.

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