{"id":785480,"date":"2026-09-28T17:16:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T17:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/785480\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T17:16:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T17:16:14","slug":"at-a-molecular-level-mu-pan-composes-meticulous-mandalas-in-acrylic-colossal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/785480\/","title":{"rendered":"At a ‘Molecular Level,’ Mu Pan Composes Meticulous Mandalas in Acrylic \u2014 Colossal"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the Buddhist tradition, mandalas<\/a> are devotional images that represent the universe, their precise geometry and motifs depicting holy realms and a sense of order through symbolic references to the elements and astrology. Tibetan Buddhist monks painstakingly create colorful sand renditions as part of their mindfulness practice. Once complete, the pieces are ritualistically destroyed\u2014the sand is customarily returned to moving water\u2014to illustrate the impermanence and transience of life and the cosmos.<\/p>\n

For artist Mu Pan<\/a>, the mandala inspires the foundation of a series of vivid works on paper. In his current solo exhibition, Micro MUniverse at Hashimoto Contemporary<\/a>, the Brooklyn-based artist composes explosive, eccentric, narrative scenes rendered at what the gallery describes as \u201ca molecular level.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"an<\/a>\u201c18 Angels\u201d (2026), acrylic on paper, 7 1\/2 x 7 1\/2 inches<\/p>\n

The collection draws on a Chinese Buddhist adage<\/a> that a single cup of water contains countless lifeforms, and for that reason, care must be taken in consuming it. Mu delves into a world of fantasy and symmetry, where animals, humans, and plants converge and hybridize in surreal configurations. Some become nearly abstract; others are uncanny, even slightly grotesque. The figures are at turns ecstatic, devious, and serene: black-winged skeletons meet sublime beings in \u201c18 Angels,\u201d and a dramatic scene of woodland creatures divinely erupts in \u201cBurning Rabbit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many of the works are less than a foot wide, with the exception of one painting on panel called \u201c4 Brutes\u201d that\u2019s two feet across. Line, form, and expressions are therefore composed in incredible detail. The artist says, \u201cI want to focus on the concept of being small, because whatever is small actually contains way more than it appears. Therefore, each small image is like a drop of blood, and each drop of blood contains multiple universes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Micro MUniverse continues through October 10 in New York City. See more on the artist\u2019s Instagram<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"an<\/a>\u201cBurning Rabbit\u201d (2026), acrylic on paper, 7 3\/4 x 7 inches<\/p>\n

\"an<\/a>\u201c4 Brutes\u201d (2026), acrylic on wood panel, 20 x 24 inches<\/p>\n

\"an<\/a>\u201cDeer\u201d (2026), acrylic on paper, 15 x 10 3\/4 inches<\/p>\n

\"an<\/a>\u201cPurple Weasel\u201d (2026, acrylic on paper, 15 x 11 inches<\/p>\n

\"an<\/a>\u201cGreen\u201d (2026), acrylic on paper, 14 3\/4 x 14 3\/4 inches<\/p>\n

\"an<\/a>\u201cBear\u201d (2026), acrylic on paper, 15 x 13 inches<\/p>\n

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