Transcendental Art Exhibition at University

[Guest guest]

March 1-5, 2004 the Vergette Gallery at Southern Illinois University was host to a transcendental art exhibition entitled, "Windows to the Spiritual World." Twelve colorful oil paintings were the work of devotee artist Josh Dorta. The show was his senior thesis exhibition, and he will be graduating from the university in May with a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) degree in painting.

Over a hundred people including students, faculty, family and friends attended the opening reception held on March 1st. Hundreds more attended the gallery throughout the week. Paintings on display were renditions of brijbasi prints from India; including "Shiva Meditating" and "Lakshmi, Goddess of Fortune," which Josh had completed up too three years ago. Also exhibited were all new compositions of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Krishna done this year. A very first for devotees, was a painting of Kali.

Visitors on the opening night enjoyed vegetarian foodstuffs and transcendental music outside the gallery. Devotees helped out tremendously during the event. Josh's twin brother Adam, who had previously made transcendental flyers that bought many of the people, greeted visitors as they came into the Vaikuntha realm. Also, Josh's longtime partner Geneva, who has grown up in the movement, prepared special prasadam that made visitors come back again and again.

People were transported to the spiritual world as they walked into the gallery. Under each painting were the names of each piece, and a short description of the above narrative. This helped people to understand and appreciate more the paintings significance.

Mary Boehler of Carbondale, who had previously never met the devotees, wrote this e-mail to Josh during the week,

 

"Just wanted to let you know how much my mother and I enjoyed your exhibit today. I especially loved your painting of Lord Krishna with the cow - the expression of peace and compassion was amazing. My mother, who went with me, was moved by the eyes of "the big picture on the north wall." The colors of all the paintings together were beautiful. Thanks for an enlightening show, and best wishes!"

 

 

Josh Dorta, from the southwest suburbs of Chicago, has been involved in the Hare Krishna Movement for six years. His devotional contributions include help with the formation of Stonefort Ashram founded by Dhanistha Dasi, and he is the cofounder of the Vishnujana.com website. Josh also has been the president of an RSO (registered student organization) called the Bhaktivedanta Yoga Society for the past four years. This campus organization has brought Drutakarma das (Michael A. Cremo) to lecture, and has held numerous spiritual gatherings in the Carbondale area.

Within the next year, Josh is planning to attend graduate school to obtain his Masters in Fine Arts. His future plans are to curate devotee art shows around the world. His vision is a worldwide exposure of devotee style paintings. Josh hopes that by showing devotee art from the "early days" to the present, the modern world will recognize the existence of the "Hare Krishna Art Movement."

For more information please contact,

 

Joshdorta@

 

If you are a devotee artist and are interested in exhibitions, galleries, and/or other art related information be sure and send and e-mail.