‘Obsessive Thoughts’
by UNGA
Hand-painted Jesmonite
Edition of 30
25.5 x 13.5 x 7 cm
“Obsessive Thoughts”, a new sculptural mask by Unga, made in collaboration with Varsi Art & Lab and ADP Studio. The original clay piece by Unga was cast in Jesmonite and thirty editions were painted entirely by hand by ADP Studio.
Available at Varsi Art & Lab.
A well-known Zen parable tells the story of two monks, one old, one young. They come to a river with a strong current, where they meet a young woman who is unable to get across alone and asks the monks for help. The monks live by a sacred vow to never touch women; yet the older monk goes to her aide, carrying her over the water to the other side. The two monks continue on their way, but the young monk can’t stop thinking about the fact the elder has broken his vow. Possessed by this thought, eventually, it gets the better of him until he can’t contain the question any longer: “Why did you carry that woman when we have taken a vow?”
The elder replies. “I left her on the river bank. Why are you still carrying her?”