Ox Herding
In Zen Buddhist tradition, Ox herding is a metaphor for a spiritual journey. Famous in China and Japan, the Ten Oxherding Pictures are used as illustrations to describe the path from ignorance to awakening, using the imagery of a wandering person who is searching for and eventually finding his or her true nature.
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Seeking the Ox
Wandering on desolate plains; Believing we are only material beings searching ceaselessly for the way.
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Finding the Ox's tracks
Discovering all paths lead to the self; Still undiscovered lies the way; Hope now accompanies the pursuit.
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First glimpse of the Ox
Creation Equally blesses all existence; Look inside and see what seems hidden but is always present.
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Catching the Ox
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Taming the Ox
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Riding the Ox home
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Ox forgotten, Self alone
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Both Ox and Self forgotten
The Ox has disappeared; Inside and outside are the same. No memories or plans are needed.
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Returning to the source
Circles remain unbroken; Centered in endless progression, manifesting our return to the source of all beings.
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The 10th person - Entering the market place
Each sculpture emerges from a drawing, gradually evolving from lines on paper into a living form.
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Seeking the Ox
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Finding the Ox's tracks
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First Glimpse of the Ox
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Catching the Ox
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Taming the Ox
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Riding the Ox home
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Ox forgotten, Self alone
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Both ox and Self forgotten
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Returning to the Source
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The 10th Person -entering the market place
Maquette’s
These maquettes are small-scale studies of my Ox Hering sculpture series, capturing strength and movement in a collectible form. Each piece reflects the essence of the larger works, highlighting the interplay between structure and gesture.
