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Photograph by David De Armas, Rubin Museum of Art, 2018
Wrathful Activity, Fierce Energy
Photograph by David De Armas, Rubin Museum of Art, 2018
Photograph by David De Armas, Rubin Museum of Art, 2018

Wrathful Activity, Fierce Energy

Artist Shezad Dawood (b. 1974, London)
Date2018
Dimensions112 5/8 × 66 15/16 in.
MediumNeon on black painted board
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art
Object numberSC2020.1.1
DescriptionBuzzing with energy, Shezad Dawood’s abstracted fierce figure is a contemporary twist on depictions of Buddhist deities who help practitioners transcend obstacles. Dawood blends cultural heritage with references to popular visual culture and materials—like the neon of this sculpture—to reexamine how we tell and perceive history. The Buddhist gods seen here, known as wrathful deities, are a positive force despite their demonic appearance. The six small skulls and enveloping flames above the central figure’s elongated face represent the embodiment of wrathfulness and the power to transform ferocious activity into positive energy. Skull crowns often adorn the heads of wrathful deities, with many examples in the Museum's collection, including Dorje Drolo (C2001.10.1).