Thousand-Armed Guanyin Statue

Guanyin shattered herself into a thousand pieces, transforming into a thousand hands and eyes to help all sentient beings. This image is so beautiful, though creating a thousand hands is quite impossible, so I made eight instead. The ritual implements were replaced with colorful pearls. During the making process, I felt a deep sense of calm; the repetitive movements brought about a meditative stillness. I infused the work with blessings and good intentions. Since this is an image of a deity familiar to everyone, I wasn’t sure if my interpretation was appropriate. But then I thought divinity resides within the heart. To create according to the image in one’s own heart is neither right nor wrong. When the heart and intention align, the work itself becomes a blessing.