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Tara of the Scented Forest

Tibet House presents, “21 Taras: Joan Bredin-Price” from February 18 to March 21, 2003. The opening reception is February 18, 6:00-8:00 P.M.

Joan Bredin-Price gives her Western interpretation of the text of the Tibetan tantra, 21 Verses in Praise of Tara, in colorful and finely detailed paintings that will be on exhibit at Tibet House from February 17 through March 21. The opening reception is on February 18 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

The 21 works combine gouache, collage and paper inlay and range in size from 18-by-24 to 30-by-34 inches. Each painting, Bredin-Price says, is based on a verse in The Jewel Commentary in the 21 Verses in Praise of Tara by the first Dalai Lama, as translated by Glen Mullin.

The artist, who lives in New Salem, Mass., says her 20 years of Buddhist practice have focused on Tara. “Each image was inspired by a verse of the text and, while maintaining the traditional stance of Green Tara, also reflects my personal experience,” she says. “The paintings are a Western vision of traditional subject matter.”

Tara, a female Buddha and meditational deity, is the best-known goddess in the Buddhist pantheon. She is considered the goddess of universal compassion who represents virtuous and enlightened activity. The Green Tara is the goddess’s most dynamic manifestation, symbolizing youthful vigor and activity.

Bredin-Price’s published art includes the January 2001 and December 2000 covers of Wisdom magazine and an illustration for the October 2000 SageWaman magazine. Her painting, “Drawing down the Moon,” was in Return of the Great Goddess, published by the Shambhala Press.