The Not-Self

"The Not-Self" invites us on a heartfelt journey into the complex relationship between a father and a son, explored through the philosophical lens of Satori, a state of profound enlightenment in Japanese Buddhism.At its core, this artwork is a portrait of the artist's father, but it's also so much more. It’s about how we see our parents in different lights as we navigate through life's stages. It reflects on the idea that while we think we know our parents, there are aspects hidden, shaped by stories and experiences we may never fully understand or see.A son may see his father as a guide, a protector, or sometimes a mystery. These multiple views are much like the different images you see in an anamorphic piece – changing, depending on the angle and the perspective. The father is both who he appears to be and not, embodying roles, memories, and emotions that are both clear and obscured.This piece doesn’t just invite you to look but to see – to explore the deeper, sometimes hidden layers of a person we think we know. It's an invitation to acknowledge the numerous, often contradictory, lights under which we view our loved ones, and to find understanding and enlightenment within that complexity.