Rainbow Chakra Artist Statement by Diana M. Carulli
Lured by their visually pleasing patterns, and beneficial effects, I am fascinated by labyrinths and create them in many contexts. I first experienced them in 1994 by walking in one and knew I had to learn how to make them. Then I learned that labyrinths originate in prehistoric time. Their paths — some simple, others quite intricate — have a common feature: they all lead the follower to a center. Their original use and meaning are not known to us, but some believe that labyrinths reflect observations of natural cycles; others think they trace the journey of human life. Labyrinth users today (there are ever increasing numbers of them in the U.S. and abroad) often describe how insights often come to them along with the benefits of increased concentration, and lower stress.
Another continuing fascination of mine is the ancient Indian way of describing energy systems within our bodies which then extend to cosmic principles. Called Chakras, these energy focal points are depicted as seven swirling colored orbs of light that follow the rainbow spectrum, internally, all along the human spine.
When I was asked to design a labyrinth for the Lilian Webber School of the Arts, PS 84, in New York City, I combined the seven circuit labyrinth pattern with the seven rainbow colors of the chakras. The Rainbow Chakra labyrinth is publicly accessible as the school shares space with Sol Bloom Park, Manhattan, New York City.
I created the Rainbow Chakra Labyrinth print in order to beautify interior spaces where viewers may benefit from this synthesis of powerful natural and spiritual systems: Rainbows, Labyrinths and Chakras.
Diana M. Carulli’s signed, Rainbow Chakra Labyrinth prints are produced with archival inks on 100% cotton, Hahnemuhle rag paper, with a hand deckled edge. The original drawing is done with colored pencil and craypas on vellum superimposed upon a field of hand colored Strathmore drawing paper.
Unframed dimensions: 14”x17”.
Framed dimensions: 18”x15”, Ayous wood, mounted on acid free foam core (AFFC),
covered with conservation clear glass.
Diana Carulli first introduced labyrinths as recreational and meditation paths to the public in 1998 at Union Square Park in Manhattan, New York City.