rethinking the wheel
oil on canvas
47.25" x 36"
2005
the wheel is heralded as one of the most important inventions of mankind. and while this simple invention helped civilization to develop, it also became a device for execution, as in the story of st. catherine of alexandria. the encyclopedic background text in the painting discussed this paradoxical use of the wheel. the original painting by raphael shows st. catherine resting on the wheel, the symbol of her martrydom. in this version, the wheel of execution has been replaced by a buddhist wheel of life as a halo.
oil on canvas
47.25" x 36"
2005
the wheel is heralded as one of the most important inventions of mankind. and while this simple invention helped civilization to develop, it also became a device for execution, as in the story of st. catherine of alexandria. the encyclopedic background text in the painting discussed this paradoxical use of the wheel. the original painting by raphael shows st. catherine resting on the wheel, the symbol of her martrydom. in this version, the wheel of execution has been replaced by a buddhist wheel of life as a halo.