Cynthia Moku

Portfolio

gouache, gold, rubbed mineral pigments on sun-bleached bone

Found at the peak of Dakini Mountain, heart of the dakini map journey, this sun-bleached female antelope skull lay partially sheltered among a natural cairn of boulders. Held within the vast array of skillful methods amid the Buddhaʻs liberation teachings in the vajrayana tradition, BåM —pronounced ʻbahmʻ— is the seed syllable, the source sounding of feminine enlightened responsive wisdom. Bringing it home to the studio, I was inspired to adorn places on its sleek pearly-bone surface with mantras and symbols ascribing the significance of transformational pilgrimage.