Ekphrasis

On the top of the wicked figures face, a dark purple jewel with gold flames laced along the edges is connected to a red wrap around thick layers of a black bun.  Below the bun is a crown, with flowers etched into its length, connected by small bronze beads, with beige skulls atop of every flower. Remnants of a red circle the eyes of each skull. The skull which you can find in the center of the crown is placed in between two short horns.  The crown reaches a half inch above the hairline of the figure and is placed around the circumference of the head. It rests gently on two long ears with large holes within each lobe. An inch apart from each ear, a pair of vicious eyebrows lay, with black horizontal lines running through each, from the pointed top to the curved bottom of each brow.  Below the black lines are a set of devilish eyes. The eyes are the focal point of the figure, orange iris’ burn into your soul as you first approach the figure. The eyes stare right at you, startling you. Between the eyes and the ears, red cheekbones protrude from the surface of the yellow skin. Just below the forehead, a slightly curved nose with flaring nostrils separates the eyes.  Directly under the nose, a faint smile rests on the figures face, with a set of pink lips spread open ever so slightly, to allow the vision of two rows of cracked white teeth. A curved jaw connects to a flat chin on the figure. You turn away from the figure, catching one more glimpse at its blazing eyes, as an unsettling feeling unravels in the pit of your stomach.

(The Second Buddha Master of Time Exhibit, Tang Museum, March 3, 2019, Ritual Dance Mask of Padmasambhava as Nyima Ozer, Bhutan, 18th-19th century)