Buddha smiles serenely, his lovely features caressed by living lotus buds. They symbolize purity and the light of wisdom. To the right, a red door is poised to open. In Thailand, red is the color of triumph and the door opens onto good winning out over evil. Parinya Nanjai depicts exquisite symbols of his faith. Painted in acrylic on handmade saa (mulberry bark) paper, the work is mounted on cotton and framed in teakwood. Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist nation, filled with breathtaking ancient temples, pagodas and other architectural wonders constructed to worship the Buddha. In Thailand images of the Buddha play an important role beyond mere decoration. They are traditionally placed within the home in special locations, such as shrines or pedestals, to help facilitate everyday religious worship.
