Acintya 1.1

In Balinese belief, Acintya is the Supreme Being. Known as the “All-in-one” God, Acintya is the singular being from which all gods, all goddesses and all things are manifest from.

This depiction is in a more traditional style as I wish to acknowledge and respect the way things are and have been, before developing a version more uniquely my own. It was created as an offering and although its execution may seem simplistic, its meaning is not. It marks a change in me that I would have denied at any other stage of my life, and marks the beginning for something completely new.

Both the stance and features of this image are derived from the most commonly depicted, existing examples found of Acintya and the Balinese creation story. In the composition, Acintya appears above the forms of Bedawang the world turtle, entwined by two naga (snakes) which all together represent existence. Around Acintya can be seen a number of flamed circles which replace the divine weapons and articles usually seen in this type of image. The absence of these weapons is reflective of a gap in my specific knowledge. Above, can be seen the Trisula, the three pronged looped weapon which is representative of many things including the three aspects of human nature; the good, the bad and the lustful, which dogma aims to govern.

As it is, this image represents a long standing conflict within me. Whilst it is a way for me to embrace my Balinese side, it also challenges my Western inclinations. The longer I’m away from Bali the more separated I feel and the greater the conflict becomes.

The greater the conflict, the more I wish to reconcile.

Germany 2020