Yogi & Yogini

Scroll to view the Yogi project, the exhibition images, followed by process.

Yogi project

Yogini #1
2013
Plaster
22x15x6 inches

Each sculpture is realized from a torso-imprint of a Yoga teacher.

Yogi #11
2015
Plaster
22x15x6 inches

When I cast the teachers, I ask them to enter a relaxed savasana and to allow the essence of their practice, most importantly their breath, to penetrate the plaster.

Yogini #17
2015
Plaster
17x13x5 inches

I wanted to catch breath, to pierce time. The surprise was to find distinct patterns on the skin's surface of every torso.

Skin pattern #1

For example, observing the navel area of this Yogi: the direction of skin and hair growth movement is downwards, from the upper torso towards the navel, where all directions converge. Additionally, there’s a more energetic pattern coming into the center from the right than from the left.

Skin pattern #2

The skin pattern surrounding the navel in this Yogini is different from the previous one: a soft upwards sweep from the hip bones and pelvic ridge moves up the center line of the front torso.

Breathing Yogini
2015
Tinted plaster
8x12x5 inches

The torso skin patterns are like fingerprints.

Wearable Yogini Breastplate
2015
Plaster and Pune Belts
17x13x4 inches

Skin patterns can sweep from right to left, or visa versa; some bodies have scars visible only on the plaster body cast but not on the flesh. A few, but not all, reveal an upwards moving fountain pattern that connects navel to heart.

Yogini #40, detail
2016
Plaster
19x11x19 inches

No sculpture had a head. The French sculptor Auguste Rodin, who when asked why his sculpture didn't have a head answered, "No need for a head. The head is everywhere."

Yogini #40
2016
Plaster
19x11x10 inches
Yogini #3
2014
Tinted hydrocal
18x17x7 inches

Gallery view

Gallery view

The Yogi sculpture installation is an offering, an art antidote to violence, and an observation of breath.

Side view of Yogi Sculptures

A few of the yogi plaster casts are gently highlighted with ritual colors from India.Each

male and female sculpture, because of their nakedness, vulnerability, dignity and posturing, exposes energy and skin patterns that are visible on the sculpture surfaces.

Gallery view, Evening

Materials and presentation weave together ancient and modern, East and West.

Breath Evidence

A sophisticated grasp of Yoga relies on understanding the power and control of breath. The wide sternums and flexible ribcages, visible on the sculptures, reveal the physicality of breathing.

"Breath and Temple Bells"
2016
Sound engineer: Boston musician PJ Goodwin

You are invited to listen. Close your eyes and breathe-along.


Yogi Stupa Opening
2016
Atlantic Works Gallery
Boston

As an installation, the Yogi sculptures crisscross lifetimes, cultures, and generations

and transports gallery-goers towards a spiritual, perhaps meditative, experience.

Process images