Description
# 9, 1949Watercolor on paper
Signed
10 x 14 in. (image)
12.5 x 16.5 x 2.0 in. (frame)
original, includes certificate of authenticity from ArtTrust
The painting (#9) depicts hands holding a delicate glow, symbolizing the moment of enlightenment. In Zen, this small, soft light represents awareness itself, unburdened by form or excess. It is reminiscent of a koan—a seemingly simple gesture that reveals a profound truth. The hands, gently cupping the light, embody the act of caring for one’s inner stillness and embracing the transitory nature of enlightenment. This represents the Zen teaching of being present, grasping the subtle spark of realization with a mindful, open heart.
This image corresponds to the Hexagram Li (Clarity), associated with brightness and illumination. The light is faint, suggesting that clarity is not always blinding; sometimes, it is a soft glow that guides through darkness. The hands’ upward movement signifies the cultivation of inner brightness—actively nurturing one’s spiritual growth while being aware of the impermanence of that illumination. It invites contemplation on how we protect and foster clarity, even in its most fragile form.
Combining Zen and I Ching philosophies, this artwork portrays the delicate balance of nurturing and releasing. The hands, while protective, do not fully grasp the light, showing an openness to let go when the time is right. This echoes the idea that enlightenment is not to be seized forcefully but embraced as it comes and goes. It’s a meditation on holding space for transient experiences, allowing them to pass through as light does through the fingers.
The minimalist style here evokes influences of modernist spirituality, where simplicity serves as a pathway to the divine. The unadorned lines and monochromatic glow mirror works by artists like Barnett Newman or Yves Klein, where the focus is on the expression of purity and existential contemplation. The image can be seen as an embodiment of the spiritual aspirations found in early modernism, blending visual simplicity with symbolic depth to encourage quiet meditation on the nature of light and awareness.
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Currently ships from Oregon, USA
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“#9” was featured in his Yes Retrospective and in volume I of the series Bob Camblin N Compleat Workes.
Reproductions of this drawing are available in multiple sizes!
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This artwork is available with a non-fungible token to ensure traceability and transparency of provenance.
The royalty factor – Unlike traditional artworks, such as paintings, mosaics, statues, and the like, NFTs can be programmed to provide royalties to you every time the painting (and token) is sold and resold – for eternity. That mind-bending Camblin you sold could be worth millions one day and provide income for your great-great-great grandkids!
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