BasselsJ

BasselsJ

Through art, stories, and teaching, I explore the human condition: emotion, learning, conflict. My work is an ongoing journey and discovery of refinement, healing, and insight.
11 posts
The Leap Beyond Torii
Tairitsu Tataka Torii

The Leap Beyond Torii

The torii gate symbolizes the transition from the mundane to the sacred. In martial arts, the kata serves as this gate—pillars we pass through, not get stuck at. True mastery requires sincere guidance that avoids arrogance, allowing students to discover what's hidden within themselves.
Wisdom of Tataka
Tairitsu Tataka Torii

Wisdom of Tataka

Tataka means fight or battle. The painting shows how fighting can motivate a martial artist, yet it is only a stepping stone. Like a musician who uses conflict to hone sound, the true art lies beyond the clash, seeking the deeper healing beyond the fight.
Gates of Tairitsu
Tairitsu Tataka Torii

Gates of Tairitsu

Tairitsu, a Japanese term, signifies more than conflict—it's a collision of opposing forces. Mokuso, the silent protocol in karate, bridges calm and adversity, turning internal struggle into a medium for self‑refinement, much like a musician learns from friction and sound—a path to mastery.
Source Abstract
Source Abstract

Source Abstract

Three figures in a cube of coat-hanger wire, bound to each other with yarn. The colour starts from one figure and never wraps itself, only the others.
Fighting Sculptures
Fighting Sculptures

Fighting Sculptures

The sculptures are made of children: a block held at the point of contact, a strike stopped at full extension, bodies locked into a shape none could hold alone. I photographed what they made in 2018, then spent a year trying to get a live version in front of an audience.
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