News Gallery
Fo Guang Yuan Hsi Lai Art Gallery hosted the opening ceremony for the exhibition "Circular Relations with Nature: Ceramics and Textiles" by artist Cirilo Domine on March 30, 2024. Around 50 people attended, including Ven. Hui Dong, the abbot of Hsi Lai Temple; Ven. Hui Shiuan, the director of the Fo Guang Yuan Hsi Lai Art Gallery; friends of the artist; members of the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA); and other visitors.
Cirilo Domine expressed his gratitude to the Fo Guang Yuan Hsi Lai Art Gallery and his friend Jennifer Kung for the opportunity to showcase his ceramics and textiles. He presented the idea of "wabi," contemplating the continuous changes in nature and time, and expressed gratitude for the creative process, regardless of the outcome.
He detailed his ceramic production process, starting with natural clay from North Carolina. After natural settling, he used elements like oak, guava, and seaweed from North America to color the vessels. The week-long firing process revealed the natural beauty of the finished products. Despite the many uncontrollable factors that could alter the colors and shapes of the pieces, the unexpected effects praised the miraculous power of nature.
Ven. Hui Dong shared the humanistic Buddhist philosophy of Fo Guang Shan, highlighting art as a form of propagation and practice. He noted that by appreciating the artworks, one could see the artist's perseverance, dedication, and concentration, which embody the practice of precepts, concentration, and wisdom. He encouraged everyone to perceive the harmonious relationship between humans, the environment, and the artworks, and to practice the artist's heartfelt dedication in their own lives as a form of spiritual cultivation.
Cirilo Domine, originally from the Philippines, moved to Los Angeles, where he pursued painting and mixed media work. He is also a continuing, certified student of the Urasenke School of Tea in Japan and Los Angeles, with a deep understanding of the Japanese tea ceremony and tea utensil production.
Jennifer Kung, a volunteer at the Fo Guang Yuan Hsi Lai Art Gallery, and a long-time friend of Cirilo Domine, shared her observations of his artistic growth over the years. During the three-year pandemic, his understanding of nature and life deepened, prompting her to invite him to exhibit his hand-built ceramics and textiles at the gallery, showcasing his understanding of art and life through these works.
At the end of the ceremony, Ven. Hui Dong presented Cirilo Domine with a certificate of appreciation and an art album. In return, Cirilo Domine donated the tea bowls he crafted to Hsi Lai Temple. The exhibition will run until May 5, inviting everyone to visit the Fo Guang Yuan Hsi Lai Art Gallery to experience the natural beauty of the artworks and learn the stories behind each piece.
(Photos by Dora Dong)
