Circular artworks, mandalas

circular artworks — in order of their posting
see category menu in footer for circular artworks by dimension

Qawwali #2

Stephen Calhoun - Code Warrior Mandala

Code Warrior Mandala (2021)

This page is the portal to that subset of my art that features circles (or radially iterated images.) These works are sometimes referred to as mandalas, although this rightly is rooted in a viewer’s salutary projection upon such works. I would have a lot to say about this family of psychological projections—after all, the mandala is a time honored archetypal form—yet in this portfolio of circular artworks resides first the experiential opportunity given through quiet presence and engagement.

Many times I am asked whether the circles are able to evoke hypnotic states. My response always is, “Give it a go!”

Aside from this possibility, some circles certainly are able to center meditation, contemplation, healing, while others are similar to other of my bodies of work in that these aim to reward exploration, discovery, and mindful engagement.

This portfolio represents the cream of my radially iterated artworks.

note — circular artwork editions are anchored to single dimensions. I am open to having aluminum artworks router cut to actual circles. 

Saatchi and Red Bubble [soon] currently provide other circular artworks in small sizes in their print-on-demand, open edition regimens.

The continual stream of new discovery, revelation and inspiration which arises at every moment is the manifestation of our clarity. We should learn to see everyday life as mandala – the luminous fringes of experience which radiate spontaneously from the empty nature of our being. The aspects of our mandala are the day-to-day objects of our life experience moving in the dance or play of the universe. By this symbolism the inner teacher reveals the profound and ultimate significance of being. Therefore we should be natural and spontaneous, accepting and learning from everything. This enables us to see the ironic and amusing side of events that usually irritate us.” – Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

“I saw that everything, all paths I had been following, all steps I had taken, were leading back to a single point — namely, to the mid-point. It became increasingly plain to me that the mandala is the centre. It is the exponent of all paths. It is the path to the centre, to individuation. I knew that in finding the mandala as an expression of the self I had attained what was for me the ultimate.” – C. G. Jung

“A useful image to help us conceptualize the thread of personal unfoldment is the mandala. By mandala I mean a field with a midpoint, such as a sphere with a center. The field is the totality of your experience – your thoughts, feelings, sensations, perceptions, actions; it is the totality of your life at each moment.The center is where Being’s dynamism touches your field, touches your mandala. This is where the transformation of experience begins, which then ripples through the whole field.” – A. H. Almaas

Knysna Night Blossom - Stephen Calhoun
Knysna Night Blossom (2017)