The Spirituality in the Public Domain Exhibition multisensory  •   multimedia   •   multicultural   •    interactive   • First shown at Pataka, Porirua, Feb - Mar, 2005 • 2007 showings at The Suter gallery, Nelson, and Lake Taupo Museum & Art Gallery • Endorsed by Joris de Bres, Human Rights Commision, as an official project in the NZ Diversity Action Programme   Information for Galleries • References & visitor numbers         • Download Exhibition Proposal as a pdf file • CD of interviews: 'What's Going On' & 'Spiritual Outlook', National Radio • Newspaper & magazine articles      • Floor Talk available • Active participation by people across a wide range of ages & abilities • High profile Multi-cultural & Multi-faith participation • Attracts people who've not previously visited the gallery • Community groups request special bookings The exhibition consists of eight large, core works and a selection of current works. Six of the core works honour where we have come from: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Indigenous Beliefs, Islam & Judaism. These works (below), have been blessed or approved by religious leaders of the respective Faiths. I took artistic license in interpretation and in using inclusive-language text in these works so the public can participate. The other two core works (next page), invite public expression of secular spirituality. The supporting works in the exhibition explore secular spirituality and values, or some draw upon various faiths and cultural beliefs. Some of these, or works in a similar vein, may be viewed in Paintings.

Prayer Wall - Judaism - approx. 5.5 meters by 1.8 meters - Polymer and acrylic, consists of 28 free form canvases mounted together. Accompanying film footage screens nearby. Five layers of text and scripture are hidden in the painting. Viewers insert their written prayers between the canvases, and may touch the painting and several sacred relics, from the Western Wall, Jerusalem, embedded in it. Thankyou to Rabbi Lipman for your advice and contribution of a key scriptural passage.    More Details...

The Rose Labyrinth - Christianity - 4 x 4 meters. A circular canvas placed on the floor so as viewers may walk a contemplative pathway, themed on the Beatitudes, around a centre rubbed with fragrant oil of rose. My musical composition Voices in the Wind accompanies this piece. Thank you to Rev. Graeme Ogilvy for blessing this work at the opening of its first showing.       More Details...

Ganges Blessing - Hinduism 2.4 x 1.2 meters. Acrylic, metallic, sacred ashes, sandalwood paste on a freeform canvas with inserted relics: water from the Ganges sealed in glass tubing, vibuthhi (sacred ash), sandal paste, ghee and sandalwood oil in clay pots, coconut fibre, fresh flowers. Thank you to Brahman Vinod Jofi for your guidance and blessings. l

Scripture Scrolls - Islam - 1.86 x 2.5 meters - four reversible canvases grouped together. People have inserted written blessings and prayers into cut 'prayer pockets' on the stitched frames. Thank you to Mullah Abdul Jabbar for your guidance and blessing of this work.

Peace Prayer Wheel - Buddhism            © Radha Sahar            900mm x 900mm x900mm.  Acrylic & metallic on plastic cylinder mounted on a Lazy Susan People write prayers for peace, place them in the cylinder, then spin it. Sahar's musical composition Peace Prayers, accompanies this work. Prayers build coloured layers as this work tours, with each venue represented in a different colour. The above photograph was taken when the work was first installed and no one had yet taken part.