ahavani mullen: across centuries and the earth
February 22, 2023 — May 18, 2023
The Dennos Museum and the Tusen Takk Foundation are pleased to present Across Centuries and the Earth, an exhibition of work by Ahavani Mullen created during her spring 2022 residency at Tusen Takk. In these four large-scale paintings, Mullen explores the ways in which subtle, ephemeral vibrations can be given form on a canvas, using energetically-charged paint to create fields of color, light, and texture.
By directing selected audio into her raw materials, the artist captures the energetic imprint of specific sounds and texts, absorbing their vibration and distilling their qualities into the work. Mullen’s inspiration is grounded in both ancient and modern ways of knowing, across centuries and the earth. In welcoming the ancient Indian texts the Vedas and the Upanishads into the work, she connects more deeply to their wisdom while honoring them as portals to a universal, aspiring consciousness. Dr. Masaru Emoto’s investigations in The Hidden Messages in Water, finding that water is affected by and responds to consciousness, were also foundational for the artist in selecting her materials and guiding her process.
This exhibition includes sound elements best experienced with a smartphone and earphones. Listen to the sounds that helped create the work in the exhibition below.
Ahavani Mullen, Aum № 4. 2022, Acrylic and graphite on canvas, 78" x 78”.
Ahavani Mullen, Gayatri Mantra № 2. 2022, Acrylic and graphite on canvas, 78" x 78”.
Ahavani Mullen, Delight № 2. 2022-23, Acrylic and graphite on canvas, 67" x 64”.
Ahavani Mullen is a visual artist whose paintings, sculptures and installations are engaged with consciousness and materiality. Her work can be viewed at: www.ahavani.com.
Image: Ahavani Mullen, Aum № 4. 2022, Acrylic and graphite on canvas, 78" x 78”.
The Artist Spotlight series is a collaborative project between the Tusen Takk Foundation and the Dennos Museum Center to display recent work by Tusen Takk’s artists-in-residence.
Named for an expression of thankfulness, the Tusen Takk Foundation nourishes artists by giving them a place to work, engagement opportunities to enrich the culture of Northwest Michigan, and a platform to share their work internationally. Designed with intention and care, Tusen Takk is a functional “making place” with studios that provide artists with spaces to imagine and create their work located in Leelanau County, Michigan.
