Elli Jäger, MA
Buddhist Cosmology
Natural pigments on hemp paper
66 x 85 cm
Celestial Hierarchy
Natural pigments on hemp paper
66 x 85 cm
Artist Statement
From an early age I was captivated by the mystery of death, which in the following years led to the fundamental question, what is the meaning of life? After exploring various ideas in western philosophy, I was introduced to the world of Buddhism through Vipassana meditation. The practice as well as the theory opened up a new and broader perspective: human life appears very differently when viewed in the light of the twin concepts of Karma and Rebirth compared to the materialistic view of modern western culture.
Over time I grew fascinated with the richness of Buddhist cosmology. The vast descriptions of entire realms and countless different beings are not only rich in imagery but also contain deep practical wisdom applicable in daily life.
Studying at the School of Traditional Arts has exposed me to the abundance of cultural heritage from all over the world. For my Part Two project, I decided to explore the Buddhist Cosmos and its depictions in a 19th century Burmese manuscript at the same time as studying a cosmology based on the Christian mystical tradition. For this research I am looking at the works of Robert Fludd, Rudolf Steiner and Dante.
With the language of geometry I intend to show an underlying connection between these two strains of religious thought. The main pieces are two paintings on traditional Indian hemp paper. I enjoy the slow process of preparing the paints solely with natural pigments: each has its own characteristics and subtlety.
Moroccan Qur’an Frontispiece
Watercolour and shell gold on paper
35 x 35 cm
Biography
Growing up in the countryside in north-west Germany, Elli spent most of her childhood outside in Nature which forged her strong connection to the land. Working with her hands and exploring different materials and textures has influenced her from an early age.
After several years of practising mainly as a graphic designer and illustrator, coming to study at The School of Traditional Arts has revived her strong relationship with Nature and her interest in different cultures. She studied Anthroposophy at the Goetheanum in Dornach, and a deepening interest in meditation led to studying the ancient Indian languages of Sanskrit and Pali.
She is driven by a concern for environmental issues and a deep wish to work with locally sourced materials such as clay, wood, and mineral and earth pigments. Fascinated by the slow process of preparing these natural pigments – such as grinding rocks – and the subtlety of their colours, she is also experimenting with dyes from plants in her surrounding countryside.