Tabitha Vevers
THE MONKS' VISION
August 11 - 17, 2017
Opening 8 pm Friday, August 11
THE MONKS’ VISION
While traveling in Southeast Asia, alongside the resplendent rows of golden Buddhas lining temples, I sometimes noticed commemorative sculptures of individual monks. In many sculptures the monks wore glasses, often all but obscured by countless layers of gold leaf applied in offerings of prayer.
It seemed as though nearly every older monk that I came across also wore glasses—a fact that was especially striking as almost no one else did. I saw an old man being lead by a long pole and thought he was playing a game with his grandchildren, until I realized that he was blind. As traffic whirled past, I was deeply moved by this improvisational visual aid.
Returning from Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos, I conceived of The Monks' Vision as a means of drawing attention to and raising funds for the many people who can't afford or can’t access glasses or the cataract surgery that we perhaps take for granted. On another level, I am happy to return spiritual meaning to gold in the days of Trump.
Tabitha Vevers 2017
10% of the proceeds from this project will be donated to the Center for Eye Research & Education. Tax-deductible donations can also be made directly by visiting CERE-Foundation.org or calling 617-573-1075. If you specify THE MONKS’ VISION, funds will directly support eye care in Southeast Asia.