EVIL EYE Mandala in process

Burning gunpowder on weather map

22" / 22"

2006

CAMOUFLAGE Mandala

Burnt gunpowder on weather map

27" / 27"

2006

WORLD Mandala

Burning gunpowder on world map

70" / 70"

2005

DOT, DOT, DOT Mandala

Burnt gunpowder on old weather map, fabric

27" / 28"

2006

CHRYSANTHEMUM Mandala

Burnt gunpowder on old weather map, fabric

27" / 27"

2006

HOWL Mandala

Burnt gunpowder on old weather map, fabric

27" / 27"

2006

SNOWFLAKE Mandala

Burnt gunpowder on map of Camp Pendleton Marine Base (California), fabric

60" / 60"

2008

Gunpowder Mandalas / Hair of the Dog

Richard Keely and Anna O’Cain 2005-2012

Richard Keely and Anna O'Cain use gunpowder to burn symbols, varied patterns and target designs on to geographical and meteorological maps of the world. This collaborative work is influenced by an experience of watching Buddhists monks over a period of several days create then brush away a mandala made of sand; while during the same time the United States Government was putting its attention/energy towards preparing for war. Keely and O'Cain work together to create the gunpowder mandalas as a ceremonial act of reflection and awareness; calling attention to how individual, collective, large and small decisions and actions affect our world.

In the past, this series of work has been presented as performance, performance and exhibition and just exhibition of the completed mandalas. The artists are open to all possibilities.