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Tantra I, 2016

Acrylic paint with mirrors, buttons and thread on gessoed canvas, 8” x 7” closed, 8” x 16” full spread, 10 pages recto & verso.

 

This book takes the geometry of the circle, the square, the line and spiral to focus the mind on a satisfying simplicity of form.

My Tantra II, 2016  

Acrylic & iridescent paints on fine canvas, with mirrors, textile, findings and enameled eyes from India.  9.5”w x 10”h  (.5” deep, closed), 19” w x 10”h full spread, 10 pages, recto and verso, interleaved with iridescent textile.

 

Cosmic diagrams, eyes, faces, spirals, painted lines and circular cutouts reference the sun and moon and circularity of life.

Tantra III, 2017

Acrylic on distressed canvas with glitter, mirror and jewel embellishments, 5.5”w x 6”h x .5”d, 6” x 11” full spread, 14 pages, recto & verso.

 

Eyes and faces look out from this book, with a cosmic diagram abstracted in the center spread, pages of sparkle, and the sun on the last page.

Tantra IV, 2017

Acrylic, iridescent & metallic paint on canvas with mirrors, found objects, enameled eyes and glitter embellishments. 7”w x 7.5”h x 1”d, 21” w full spread. 13 pages, recto & verso.

 

Cosmic diagrams, eyes, cloud patterns, face, lotus, tiny brass couple figures. On the end page, beads trace stars in dark sky. Many circular cut out voids allow deeper views throughout the book. A three panel cover with a geometric design encloses the book.

Tantra V, My Prayer, 2018

Acrylic, metallic & iridescent paints on canvas with glitter, ribbon, and jewelled findings. 5.5” x 6” closed, 5.5”  x 14” full spread, 17 pages recto & verso.

 

I bow my head at the feet of every creature

Like playing a song in my head

Everything you do is sacred

 

Cut out circular voids offer views of faces & eyes, gold glitter, repeating the word, SACRED, on the last page.

Tantra VI, 2017

Gold metallic paint on distressed canvas with shell and jeweled embellishments. 4.5”w x 6”h x .5”d, 9” w full spread. 13 pages, recto & verso.

 

This is a small gold prayer book sized for holding in your hand. The canvas is soft and turning the pages reveals circles, triangles, a spiral, a star diagram and 2 ghost figures. Narrow cuts in the pages allow light to pass through. A shell with a natural spiral is centered on the last page.

Tantra VII - Memento Mori, 2022

Open, full spread 17". 6” w x 8.5”h when closed.

Gold metallic paint on distressed canvas with textile, mirror, buttons, findings and gold thread. 8” x 8” closed, 8” x 16” full spread, 12 pages plus covers, page edges are rolled & tied with gold thread

 

A black lily on the front cover connects this book to my series of lily paintings and refers to death. The center spread depicts skulls with mirrors, jewels, tiny buttons. Silk organza covers a skull image. The book ends with a white lily and a spiral.

Copyright 2025 Sas Colby

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