Michael Stoeber (Greater Toronto Area, Canada)

A student for many years at the Toronto School of Art, Michael Stoeber teaches comparative spirituality at Regis College, University of Toronto.  The method for his hard-edge abstractions is a kind of process painting, which allows subconscious thoughts and feelings to surface in creative and therapeutic ways.  “Guyan Mudra” evokes some of the powerful life-giving energies of his practice of Kundalini Yoga, while “Buddha on Christ” gives voice to his encounter of Buddhist Samatha Vipassanā (Calming/Insight) meditation.  Drawing on traditional symbols and colours of South Asian religious traditions and Christianity, the paintings explore Stoeber’s experience and integration of diverse spiritual boundaries.