Yoni Mandala by Mukti Singh Thapa

This fascinating artwork by master artist Mukti Singh Thapa is the Yoni Mandala. The yoni is the creative power of nature and represents the goddess Durga. The male counterpart of the yoni is the lingham, the representation of the god Shiva. Their union represents the eternal process of creation and regeneration. This piece, painted during his black and white period from 2005 - 2007, displays Thapa's mastery of the 13th - 16th century Newar Design style through its precise lines and expert use of traditional iconography, while also demonstrating his brilliant creativity in this original design. This original thangka, or paubha in Nepal, was painted in the traditional manner with handmade blank ink on primed cotton canvas. There is no other pigment used, meaning that even one small slip of the brush will force the artist to destroy the entire work. Additionally, in only painting with black ink, Mukti is painting the negative space with the plain canvas taking prominence. This method tak