FOR SALE: Prithvi Mudra Tee

FOR SALE! The "Prithvi Mudra" TEE. Hand-drawn. Silkscreened on.

This Mudra actuates the root chakra, which houses our vital energy or elemental force. To ward off energy deficits and to actualize both physical and metaphysical goals, Prithvi Mudra is an essential tool. This mudra restores the mutual balance of the elements of `agni` and `prithvi` tattvas.

All orders placed by Friday, November 12 will get the pre-webshop price of $35 + tax. Send all orders to misc@meerasethi.com. International shipping available. Request costs.

All Tees will be printed red on white on an American Apparel Tee. When ordering, please specify your size.

Split

New Painting. Split. 18" x 24" Mixed media on paper. 2010

When we are split open. When we have lost control. When things fall apart. This is what lies at the heart: sheer communion.

Departure

New Painting. As yet untitled. 18" x 24" Mixed media on paper. 2010

This is an aching, acrid representation of the imagined return as an im/migrant. It is the recognition that the journey is the only place of wholeness. It is a vision of a longing, like the ache of a lost traveller. It pays homage to the kingfisher who migrates back and forth, alone, year... after year and yet, as Dogen says, "leaves no trace behind and does not need a guide." If we long to live in two places at once and cannot, survival insists that we abandon the earth and claim the sky.

This new painting is both a departure from my previous work and a piece created on the theme of Departure". Enjoy!

Exhibition In Toronto

If you happen to be in Toronto this Saturday, come by for the opening of a group show I am in called "Velocity: The Rate of Change of Position".

Exhibition Dates: Friday, 17- 26 September 2010
Opening reception and artist talks: Saturday, 18 September 2010, 3-6pm.
Venue: Function 13 Gallery, 156 August Avenue, Toronto

South Asian Visual Arts Centre) is pleased to present Velocity: the rate of change of position, an annual juried members’ exhibition that features innovative and contemporary artworks by emerging and mid-career artists from SAVAC’s membership. Every year, SAVAC invites proposals for new or recently completed artworks through an open call. A jury comprising of artists, curators and SAVAC members select works based on artistic merit and new approaches and ideas on themes surrounding contemporary South Asian identities and experiences.

Velocity: the rate of change of position brings together artworks by Arwa Abouon (Montreal), Sharlene Bamboat (London, UK/Toronto), Pritika Chowdhry (Madison, USA), Shireen Kamran (Montreal), Meera Sethi (Toronto) and Meera Margaret Singh (Toronto) that explore the parallels and divergences between our daily routines and the rapidly changing urban environment. The artists engage with fragmented and interconnected narratives from multiple histories to develop works that resonate with the current times.

SAVAC will host an opening reception and artist talks for Velocity: the rate of change of position on 18 September 2010, 3pm to 6pm at the Function 13 Gallery (156 Augusta Avenue). Entrance to the opening and artist talks is free.

Featuring works by: Arwa Abouon (Montreal), Sharlene Bamboat (London/Toronto), Pritika Chowdhry (Madison, WI), Shireen Kamran (Montreal), Meera Sethi (Toronto), Meera Margaret Singh (Toronto).

Nataraj

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For you, my tears don't stop.

Top: We Have Triumphed, 2008
Middle: You either have it or you don't, 2006
Bottom: nah rukte hain ansoo, 2008

Yesterday, before I heard news of the latest Israeli assault on Gaza, I begin incorporating the words of Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish (1942-2008) into my drawings. His words "We have triumphed over the plan to oust us from history" remind me that erasure of a people is not possible, no matter how many bombs are dropped, how many homes are razed, how many people are systematically starved, and how many history books are written and rewritten. Ironically, today, as Israel attempts once again to oust Palestinians from history, the spirit of those who survive will triumph.

The piece in the middle is a small collage I made a few years back. It was an exercise in response to the famous George W. Bush line: "You are either with or or against us." I cannot DISAGREE more.

The piece on the top is inspired by a Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan qawaali. This line translates as: "The tears don't stop".

The top and bottom works are dedicated to all those that have died from Israeli occupation, state terrorism, violence and aggression, including Palestinians and Arab and Jewish Israelis. For you, my tears don't stop.

Tat Tvam Asi

...or "Thou Art That". I learned of the significance of this concept back in undergrad when I took a course on South Asian Art. It was one of my favourite courses because of the professor, the material and the fact that we learned about the relationship between religiousity and art in a South Asian - mostly Hindu and Buddhist - context. "Tat Tvam Asi" is a Sanskrit (an Indian classical language) phrase that unites the individual Self with the greater Self. Oh and by the way, the words "Tat Tvam Asi" are hidden somewhere in the drawing above. A beautiful word search? Enjoy!

Tagore translates Kabir

Rabindranath Tagore translated Kabir's work in 1914. Kabir was a mystic and a medieval Indian saint and poet who lived in Northern India from 1440-1518. This lines translates as: "O Sadhu! practise that Word!" In Tagore's translation, this line is preceded by: "Receive that Word from which the Universe springeth! / That Word is the Guru; I have heard it, and become the disciple. / How many are there who know the meaning of that Word? / O Sadhu! practise that Word!"

Barack Obama, Shine On

"Creative Imagination + Brilliance = Wisdom"
- Toni Morrison on Barack Obama

Just imagine for a moment what a different place this world would be if the political leaders of this world ACTUALLY loved? What would it mean if they lead with their heart, mind and soul? When you step with the ideology of love, it does not matter what party, religion, race, gender, class you represent. When you step with love, you are a leader and you deserve to lead, in fact, you MUST lead.

"Win" or "lose", Barack, you are my man. Shine on.

Btw, big thanks to Sterling Ensemble feat. Mario Inchausti: "Truth (I Know You Are Beautiful)" (Obama Mix) (via soulbounce) for the musical inspiration for the "Obama Love" piece above.

Whodunit?

Well, now you know : ) Both these works (7.5" x 5.5", Limited Edition of 10, Giclee on Archival paper) - Bliss and Peace - will be for sale at the Whodunit? OCAD Mystery Art Sale in Toronto from November 19 to 22. Each work will sell for $75, surely a better investment then stocks : )

Oops!

A little sumthin' to celebrate the courage of my lezzie and fag (oops!) sisters and brothers out there on Queen/r Street West in Toronto and elsewhere around the globe : ) Let's keep living boldly and with love. Peace.

Everything is Everything REMIXED

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A little dose of inspiration has got me : )
So i've thrown done this remix for all y'all.
Enjoy!

I & I

This morning I'm giving you something a little special - "I & I". I and I is a concept and phrase used by Rastafari to suggest, among other things, that Jah (God or the spirit that lives within us) and "I", the outer "self", are one. There is absolute unity. It's a mystical concept that moves me each time I hear it. It is a reminder to me that all of us are one in our perfection, we only need to polish that mirror clear so we can see it.

German mystic Meister Eckhart said:
"If I am to know God directly,
I must become completely He and He I,
so that this He and this I become and are one I"

As Morgan Heritage says:
"...I and I feel the vibes
Lord knows it feels right
We can feel Jah love, woy
Flowing amongst mankind..."

Peace

Open Your Eyes

"Darlin' open your eyes and let me show you the light...There is a light that shines special for you and me..."

(In appreciation of Bobby Caldwell, Dwele and Common.)

Heaven on Earth

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Translation:
If there be a Paradise on Earth.
It is this, it is this, it is this.
- Shahjahan
(Diwan-i-Khas, Lal Qila, New Delhi, India)

Everything is Everything

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See post below for explanation. One day. Peace. (Thanks L Boogie)

Nothing Even Matters

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...no more. One day, I hope to be there. Where nothing even matters even when everything matters. Huh? I know you know. Meditate. Peace.

That Language is Gospel

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Wrds a power. Gon keep on keepin on. Much rspct. (txt mssge) : )

X's and O's

Yup. Sometimes it really can be that simple. xoxo

Pure Gospel. New Truth.

Some dope words from/for my biggest fan and soul brother for real. Peace.