The Art of Wood Mandalas
The Meaning of Mandalas
Among their favored exotic species are quarter-sawn Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) which has a fine straight grain and a pleasant cinnamon aroma; Wenge (Millettia laurentii), a dark ebony-like wood from Africa; South American Jatoba (also known as Brazilian Cherry or Hymenaea courbaril); Ceylon Satinwood (also known as Buruta or Chloroxylon swietenia); and Lacewood (Panopsis spp.) sourced from Australia or South America.
The craft calls for extremely fine cuts and delicate techniques such as nesting, onion-skinning, and painstaking manual assembly. It is meticulous, time-consuming work.
"Our collaboration with Eileen has inspired us to push the boundaries of what's possible with wood and the art of woodworking," said Antes. "The synergy of her vision with our tools and techniques has taken us to a higher level."
Over time, Antes' medallions have become progressively more complex. Thrive, an early piece, was comprised of 780 pieces. Unbroken contains about 1220 pieces, and Unity, when finished, will have more than 3000 separate pieces of wood and represent about 600 man-hours of work.
"I find that when working on the mandalas, the sacred geometry speaks to me and transports me in a way that I'm no longer thinking but simply doing. It becomes almost a spiritual endeavor."
THE MEANING OF MANDALAS
The word "mandala" itself means "circle" and, often, that's what a mandala looks like. A circle. Circles have a very evocative meaning in Hindu and Buddhist religious traditions. Mandalas arose in Indian and Himalayan religious traditions as artistic ways of representing the spiritual universe. The ancient Hindu scriptures think of time as circular, having a creation period, a period of flourishing existence, and a destruction that leads to another inevitable creation. Modern mandalas we can see in coloring books or contemporary artwork are used as means to reduce stress, connect deeply with oneself and appreciate forms of beauty in the world.
Frequently asked questions
What wood species are used in Eileen Antes' wood mandalas?+
Favored exotic species include quarter-sawn Sapele, Wenge from Africa, South American Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry), Ceylon Satinwood (Buruta), and Lacewood sourced from Australia or South America.
What techniques are used to create wood mandalas?+
The craft calls for extremely fine cuts and delicate techniques such as nesting, onion-skinning, and painstaking manual assembly. It is meticulous, time-consuming work.
How many pieces of wood are in Eileen Antes' mandalas?+
Thrive, an early piece, was comprised of 780 pieces. Unbroken contains about 1220 pieces, and Unity, when finished, will have more than 3000 separate pieces of wood and represent about 600 man-hours of work.
What does the word mandala mean?+
The word 'mandala' means 'circle,' and mandalas often look like circles. They arose in Indian and Himalayan religious traditions as artistic ways of representing the spiritual universe.
Why are mandalas significant in Hindu and Buddhist traditions?+
Circles have evocative meaning in these traditions because ancient Hindu scriptures view time as circular — with creation, flourishing existence, and destruction leading to another inevitable creation. Mandalas represent this spiritual universe.
How are modern mandalas used today?+
Modern mandalas seen in coloring books or contemporary artwork are used as means to reduce stress, connect deeply with oneself, and appreciate forms of beauty in the world.