To our knowledge THE RAMA EXHIBITION will be the first of its kind, centered on a series of wildlife thangka paintings born of a groundbreaking collaboration between visionary conservation artist Calley O’Neill and the late RAMA, Oregon Zoo's famed artist Elephant, with Jeb Barsh, the innovative keeper who choreographed their creative contact.
The exhibition highlights the plight of endangered species and ecosystems around the world with the hope of stimulating a profound inner experience ~ a realization of our love for wildlife, and for all life.
This is how it all began. On a rare visit to the Oregon Zoo in 2006, Calley’s son Noa called out for her to run to the elephant barn. They arrived at the exact moment to be amazed as Rama began his painting demonstration. This sparked a spontaneous inner vision of an international traveling exhibition on endangered species that would reach the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world. Calley’s heart began to pound, her mind cleared, her awareness blasted open, and she knew in her bones that she had to work with him! It was a quantum insight! Following the painting demonstration, Calley gave a lucid on-the-spot presentation to the keepers describing the compelling vision. A year and many letters later, Calley was in the elephant barn as a project volunteer. In gratitude and awe, the three painted intensively as one every summer for 5 years.
These works were inspired by Calley’s love for the Earth, RAMA, indigenous culture and wisdom, and her longtime allure for illuminated manuscript paintings and traditional Tibetan Buddhist thangkas, both used as inspirational teaching tools, and aids to prayer and meditation.
The Tibetan word thangka means recorded message. The paintings communicate a deep message which, to be heard, require the viewer to stop the conversation in the head long enough to pause and feel what is being said. Through quieting the static in our congested minds, we can open to love, imagine, and create a healthy future for ourselves, and all the children. Transformation is not only possible, it is essential.
OUR GOAL: Our goal is to move everyday people to take an active part in our greatest task--the conservation of nature, and the creation of a healthy future.
THE RAMA EXHIBITION is designed to evoke strong positive feelings that will generate actions needed at home and abroad for the restoration of our watersheds, forests, fresh water and ocean ecosystems. This will require no less than all of us working together to love and protect the places where we live.
Clearly, we all live together on a magical planet with a very thin Biosphere of pulsing, vibrating, interconnecting life. May we feel and act on our innate love of biodiversity, the species and communities that keep nature healthy and balanced.
THE NAKED TRUTH - A FEW FACTS:
BIODIVERSITY is the diversity of life forms on Earth that sustain life, and create the stability in ecosystems. BIOPHILIA is a term coined by one of my heroes, famed Harvard biologist, Dr. Edward O. Wilson, who defines this innate feeling as the urge to affiliate with other forms of life.
- Right now a massive extinction of living species is taking place on Earth. This crisis is of an order of magnitude not seen since the disappearance of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Scientists believe that this is not an act of nature, but an impending human calamity that can be mitigated. This is an extraordinary opportunity.
- According to the best estimates of ongoing biodiversity research, without significant changes in our environmental practices, half of the Earth’s plant and animal species may be driven to extinction or reduced to ‘the living dead’ (critical endangerment) by the end of the century.
- The oceans, which cover over two-thirds of our planet, contain over 80% of all life on Earth with a rich biodiversity that is unparalleled on land. We are changing the very chemistry of the sea, and wiping out whole phyla through climate change, air, water and plastics pollution, acidification, and overfishing.
- Scientists, such as physicist Fritjof Capra and E. O. Wilson, warn that by continuing to disrupt the Earth’s symbiotic living systems, humans place their own survival at great risk. 7.4 billion strong, humans are the greatest geophysical force on Earth.
Deep ecological awareness is akin to a spiritual or religious experience. It provides a direct feeling of connection, the foundation of health, happiness, and longevity. Sacred art uplifts the mind toward the Great Mystery to open hearts and limiting perspectives of mind, inspiring ecologically sensitive ways to live a good life.
For positive change to occur we must understand and feel both the loss and the possibility of renewal personally. Current neuroscience research provides proof positive that art affects people profoundly. Humans were born with an innate ability to be moved by art. A single painting can change the world!
EVERYTHING MATTERS! Everything we think, say, and do matters.
We, Earth’s dominant species, have everything we need to restore the living systems that sustain us, and shift to abundant, sustainable lifestyles through what we think, say, do, buy, and refuse to buy. In so doing, we will generate enough noble work to encompass and support everyone’s energy, innate altruistic drive, and creativity.
THE RAMA TEAM
RAMA: Son of the famous Packy and Rosy, RAMA was born on April 1, 1983 at the Oregon Zoo and lived with his herd until his death in March 2015. In his early years, the importance of enrichment (emotional and intellectual stimulation) was not understood as much for bulls. Thus Rama’s greatest gifts were not revealed until 2002, when keeper Jeb Barsh got the idea to use Rama’s fascination with spraying to see if Rama if might be interested in painting. Rama showed exceptional interest and spray and brush painted with Jeb every Sunday. These skills became the opportunity for him to thrive. He evolved into a creative force to be reckoned with - a phenomenon! His paintings sold before they had time to dry, and his two art shows sold out! The impact of his work has been life changing for an untold number of people.
RAMA is a name with power. In ancient Sanskrit, only two mantra are called taaraka, (that which can ferry you across) and they are OM and RAMA, words of great significance. In Hinduism, it is said that the repetition of the two life giving letters, RA and MA, are deeply purifying.
CALLEY O’NEILL is a highly respected conservation and cultural artist, muralist, visionary designer and social ecologist from the Big Island of Hawai‘i. Journalists have described her art, which spans four decades, as ‘ethno-visionary, dynamic, symbolic, and breathtaking’, and Calley as ‘a way-finder’, ‘a life giving force’ and ‘a force of nature.’ Her work with Rama and Jeb will surely remain the wildest, most engaging, powerful experience in her creative life.
In a very real way, this is how I have transformed my sadness and outrage at the desecration of nature and indigenous cultures into positive action.
JEB BARSH: The innovative Oregon Zookeeper who taught Rama to paint shares…Rama was remarkable. It was a great pleasure to work with him. I remain his greatest fan and am honored to have come to know him as a partner. We choreographed and he cooperated with enthusiasm. His cooperation and utter abandon inspired all that were lucky enough to witness him work. He brightened upon the sight of us. He thrust himself toward the outcome, in faith, so it seems to me, and his paint exploded on the canvas – a dance. I searched for purpose for Rama and found it in this work. We were human and elephant engaged in a joyous transfer of energy that unexpectedly produced a unique body of work. From the brink of extinction, he joined trunk to hand to canvas to you – to inspire all to act upon their innate instinct to nurture each other and all creatures of this planet.
DR. THOMAS HOHL, a master wood turner, was a highly respected oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Seattle for 40 years, including teaching at the University of Washington as an associate professor. His college degree in biology included ecology and ornithology. Tom's studies sharpened his lifelong interest in animals and nature, especially bird life. A researcher by nature, he studied the design, use, and power of prayer wheels first wildlife prayer wheel blessed by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, will be exhibited with each painting. The wheels are spun with good intentions to clear negativity and assist all species to rebound.
JULIA FAIRCHILD is a self-taught web master, research and administrative assistant, seamstress, and integrative healer. Julia has been volunteering her time for this work for eight years, and worked seven days a week to prepare for The Rama Exhibition World Premiere at the IUCN World Conservation Congress.
Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion
to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.
Albert Einstein
The Rama Team acknowledges our deep gratitude to the Oregon Zoo for Rama. Calley, Artist in Residence acknowledges the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort for their ongoing support.
Hope is believing in spite of the evidence.
Michael Toms, Founder, New Dimensions Radio
Alvita Soleil
Ana Jones
Ann
Anne Tsigounis
Annette Manant
Annette Schiller
B.A. Costa-Pierce
Barrie Rose
Bill Lopez
Billie Klein-Yasuhara
Bob DeLuca
Bob Planker
Brewer Family Enterprises
Candice Choy
Cara Larsen
Carole Paton Breise
Cathey Tarleton
Catrinka Holland
Charlotte
Christie Cash
Christopher McCullough
Cindy Evans
COCMDM
Cole Drewes
Colleen
Cyndy
Daniel Graves
Deborah Halpern
Deborah M. Dickson
Diane Repp
Diane Scheurell
Dixie Waldrip
Dolores Calley
Donna & Ken Burkhardt
Donna Maltz
Donna Ritter
Elaine Johnson
Ellen Power
Ernestine Martinson
Gail Ellingsong
Genie Ruddle
Hallie Blau
Heather Gordon
Holly Hoover
Isabelle Mollien
James Power
Jane Evans
Jeb Barsh
Jeffrey Dalton
John Belliveau
Jonah & Robin Yardley
Joshua Lanakila Mangauil
Joyce Marvel-Benoist
Julia Fairchild
Julie Foulkes King
Kalia
Katherine
Katherine1111
Katheryn Keck
Kathleen Gordon
Kehau Hori
Kimberly Suta
Kristine Long
Kyle and Leilani Datta
Lamar Yoakum
Laura Lynn Giubardo
Leianna Eads
Leonid Feldman
Linda Copman
LISA SCHABLOSKI
Lorraine Urbic
Louann
Marcia S. Yardley
Margaret
Margaret Budd
Marie Blanda
Mark J. Rauzon
Matilda Tompson
Melissa Shebeck
Melora Purell
Michael C Whelan
Michael Kronstadt
Michael McCullough
Michele Chavez-Pardini
Natalie k. Young
Nicky Parrish
Nicolee Hiltz
Nikki Spencer
Noel Littlejohns
OLELO PA'A FAITH OGAWA
Page Nelson
Pamela Goos
Patricia Buffandeau
Pattie Freeman
Paul Crepeau
Peter Dublanica
Phil Heavenston
Phil Marino
Quinn Allan
Reinhardt
Rhonda Rhodes
Rick Calley
Robert Collesano
Robert Sardinsky
Roger Friedel
Roger Meadows
Rosanne Shank
Rose Mae Watterson
R Spiegel
Sallie McCullough
Sandy Coffee
Scott and Arlyn
Scott Nelson
Steve Lowry
Steve Madden
Sue Aronson
Susan Scott
Sydney Wiecking
Tania Howard
Tanya Dean
Taya Ann Sedam
Teri Sugg
Tim Merriman and Lisa Brochu
Tricia O'Neill
Una Beth Westfall
Victoria Lowry
Vida Dietz
Wallen Ellingson
William Merle
Zanne Gordon
WE GRACOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK OUR HONORED KICKSTARTER BACKERS!
All for Love, Alvita Soleil, Ana Jones, Ann, Anne Tsigounis, Annette Manant, Annette Schiller, B.A. Costa-Pierce, Barrie Rose, Bill Lopez, Billie Klein-Yasuhara, Bob DeLuca, Bob Planker, Brewer Family Enterprises , Candice Choy, Cara Larsen, Carole Paton Breise, Cathey Tarleton, Catrinka Holland, Charlotte, Christie Cash, Christopher McCullough, Cindy Evans, COCMDM, Cole Drewes, Colleen, Cyndy, Daniel Graves, Dave and Sherry Pettus, Deborah Halpern, Deborah M. Dickson, Diane Repp, Diane Scheurell, Dixie Waldrip, Dolores Calley, Donna & Ken Burkhardt, Donna Maltz, Donna Ritter, Dr. Thomas and Kim Hohl, Elaine Johnson, Elizabeth Theriault, Ellen Power, Ernestine Martinson, France Garrido, Gail Ellingsong, Genie Ruddle, Hallie Blau, Heather Gordon, Holly Hoover, Isabelle Mollien, James Power, Jane Evans, Jeb Barsh, Jeffrey Dalton, Jody Snyder, John Belliveau, Jonah & Robin Yardley, Joshua Lanakila Mangauil, Joyce Marvel-Benoist, Joyce O'Connor, Julia Fairchild, Julie Foulkes King, Kalia, Katherine, Katherine1111, Katheryn Keck, Kathleen Gordon, Kehau Hori, Kimberly Suta, Kristine Long, Kyle and Leilani Datta, Lamar Yoakum, Laura Lynn Giubardo, Leianna Eads, Len & Charlotte Chow, Leonid Feldman, Linda Copman, Lisa Schabloski, Lorraine Urbic, Louann, Maka'ala Tobin, Marcia S. Yardley, Margaret, Margaret Budd, Marie Blanda, Mark J. Rauzon, Marlene LeClare, Matilda Tompson, Melissa Shebeck, Melora Purell, Michael C Whelan, Michael Kronstadt, Michael McCullough, Michele Chavez-Pardini, Natalie K. Young, Nicky Parrish, Nicolee Hiltz, Nikki Spencer, Noel Littlejohn, Olelo Pa'a Faith Ogawa, Page Nelson, Pamela Goos, Patricia Buffandeau, Pattie Freeman, Patti Nelson, Paul Crepeau, Peter Dublanica, Phil Heavenston, Phil Marino, Quinn Allan, Reinhardt, Rhonda Rhodes, Rick Calley, Robert Collesano, Robert Sardinsky, Robert Veeneman, Roger Friedel, Roger Meadows, Rosanne Shank, Rose Mae Watterson, Richard Spiegel, Sallie McCullough, Sandy Coffee, Scott and Arlyn, Scott Nelson, Steve Lowry, Steve Madden, Sue Aronson, Susan Scott, Sydney Wiecking, Tania Howard, Tanya Dean, Taya Ann Sedam, Teri Sugg, Tim Merriman and Lisa Brochu, Toby Donner, Tricia O'Neill, Unabeth Westfall, Victoria Lowry, Vida Dietz, Wallen Ellingson, William Merle, and Zanne Gordon
Carli Davidson Photography
If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.
Terry Tempest Williams
The most important thing you can ever do is realize that everything you do matters.
Jane Goodall
Destroying a tropical rainforest for profit
is like burning all the paintings of the Louvre to cook dinner.
E. O. Wilson
GROWING LIST OF INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHERS: Thomas Marent, Piotr Naskrecki, Keoki and Yuko Stender, Dale Walsh, Randy Johnson, Earl Reinink, DLR German Aerospace Center, Susan Domreis, Michael Durham, Calley O'Neill, Paul and Victoria McCormick, Celeste Ets-Hokin and the Xerces Society, and Chad Yoshinaga.
We acknowledge and gratefully thank the IUCN, our Kickstarter Video Team: Franklin DeWar, Jake Miller and Evan Bordessa, Lyon Arboretum, Hui Ku Maoli Ola native plant nursery, Rea Fox and Production Hawai'i, Indich Carpets, graphic artist Marilyn Calley, Bamboo Artist Stephen Rosenthal, Horticulturists and support twins Chris and Michael McCullough, Kehau Hori, Lamar Yoakum, Beverly Arntzen, Melissa Shebeck, Bernie Ross and the Weldbond Team, and Green Printers
As we enter into this millennium, the time has come for the world to recognize that the geography and solutions of global poverty align closely with those of the biodiversity hotspots. Only by tackling these two agendas together will we truly be able to end poverty and conserve life on Earth.
Peter Seligmann, Chairman and CEO, Conservation International
In the wilderness is the preservation of the world.
Henry David Thoreau
No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.
Albert Einstein.
Mitakuye oyasin.
We exist only in relationship to the whole. All are my relations.
Lakota Sioux
Photography and Posting Welcome!
Please credit: www.TheRamaExhibition.org
Color Numbers:
LOGO & quotes
Teal: 1b8077
R: 27
G: 128
B: 119
Through these works, abstract expressionism takes a new twist with a passion for protecting nature and the future. This is art on behalf of life. Given the magnitude of our social and ecological challenges, now is the time that art must become powerful again.
When art lost its content and meaning and became an abstract decoration for its wealthiest patrons, it lost its power. Art lost its ability to inspire, awaken, change, and evolve the people, the very purpose of art. Few people understand or care about modern art. Ours is a fusion of abstraction, magical realism, symbolism, spiritual, cultural, and ecological depth, and a clarion call on behalf of those who cannot speak on the land and in the sea.
Brown Text
633100
R: 90
G: 49
B: 0
PURPLE strip
6c4687
R: 108
G: 70
B: 135
Mustard strip
e8b900
R: 232
G: 185
B: 0
Photography and Posting Welcome!
Please credit: www.TheRamaExhibition.org
OUR MEDIA: Rama spray painted, did a bucket and blow technique, and trunk painted with non-toxic mineral based watercolors and children’s tempera, rinsing his trunk in between contrasting colors. He brush painted with acrylics after the spraying.
Calley freehand draws the endangered species, and glaze paints with POLITEC, original paint of the Mexican Mural Masters. Each painting was carefully leveled, and allowed to dry overnight before sealing with an acrylic mural sealer.
Why art? Art is power. Real Art Means Action.
