A map of existence, drawn as a human form.
Lokapurusha is one of the most striking images in Jain cosmology. Rather than depicting a person, the figure represents the structure of the universe itself.
Different regions of the body correspond to different realms of existence, turning the human form into a visual diagram of the cosmos. The image brings together philosophy, sacred geography and symbolism in a way that makes an otherwise abstract idea immediately visible.
What makes Lokapurusha so powerful is its simplicity as an idea and complexity as an image: the universe becomes a body, and the body becomes a map.
Hand-painted on cotton.
Limited work, made on order.