Studio Visit with Daria Deshuk Painting-in-progress, Daria Deshuk’s studio, Bridgehampton, NY
Kundalini Happening
Sagg Main Beach, Bridgehampton, NY Kundalini — Sanskrit, literally “coiled.” In Indian yoga, a “corporeal energy” - an unconscious, instinctive or libidinal force or Shakti, envisioned either as a goddess or else as a sleeping serpent coiled at the base of the spine, hence a number of English renderings of the term such as ‘serpent power.’
Kundalini Happening photographed by the artist 54 • Fine Art Magazine • Fall 2009
photo by Daria Deshuk
Focused on the Light Far beyond interpretation of reality provided by a photograph, painting allows the artist to take a snapshot of a condensed stolen moment that stops and then extends time thereby leading the viewer into the reorchestration of light, space via the pure beauty of paint itself. “I love this painting,” comments Ms. Deshuk, “because it’s large and allows me to capture the essence of human experience while playing more with the paint. The subject comes from photos I took at Monday Night Drumming, Sagg Main Beach in Bridgehampton last summer. It’s a local home grown ‘happening’ where all come and share the setting sun and the ocean; absorbing vital energy both of nature and community; sharing music, dance, spirits, and friends. I guess you can say the experience of being at theses events is an art form itself, ‘The Happening.’ “In my early work, I painted street views of New York City (Ed. note: see dariadeshuk.com). Since living full-time in Bridgehampton, this happening has become one of my favorite subjects. My interest in making this painting was to develop a composition referencing scared geometry, strengthening the mystical and classical influences of the figure. The contemporary event of this happening and snake dancer/ performer, reference for me the goddess and Kundalini energy rising, awakening spirit.