This contemporary work is comprised of tiers of multiple seated Buddhas, each made of hemp covered with wax and hung from threads. Together they form a shape similar to a pyramidal stupa. Stupa are domed, stepped, or conical Buddhist structures that were used to store Buddhist relics or remains. Because the form is not solid, the interior – normally concealed in a stupa – is here made transparent. In altering the traditional structure of the stupa, the artist invites us to think about the meaning of the form and the practices around it. Are stupas really what they seem to be, or what people believe them to be? The fragility of materials and of belief is also suggested by the thin threads that support the Buddhas. Jakkai is one of Southeast Asia’s leading contemporary artists. He works primarily with textiles and is known for his detailed tapestries and installations that comment on the religious, social, and political issues facing Thailand.
