ZEN FOTO GALLERY

In this publication we bring together two series. Manit's “Masters” are images of idolatrous
statues of monks. They appear to be real, yet are made from resin. They may purport to
represent monks that have reached nirvana, yet they are oered for sale by Buddhist shops,
oen for the prot of modern day monks and temples.
Tim's “Still Lives” are images of babies who were never born. They died before they had a
chance to experience the world. And so they died perfect. Is that not as close as any person
can get to attain nirvana?

—
“Masters” by Manit Srinawichpoom
One day Manit Srinawichpoom noticed a strange small statue for sale in a shop selling
Buddhist items. It was a lifelike model of a Buddhist master made out of resin. ese objects
are sold at high prices to people who wish to pray to a particular “master”.
Manit decided to seek out more of these miniature statues and to photograph them. Manit
had kept a stock of Polaroid negatives which he used to produce these works. By changing
the focus and printing in greater than actual size, we get a feeling that these masters are now
alive in these photographs.
e artist is making another statement here. In true Buddhism only the lord Buddha himself
is to be venerated, not any person, alive or dead. But in today's Thailand the Buddhist
church has complacent and materialistic along with the monks, and cult of personality is
encouraged, contrary to the instructions of the true masters.
—
“Still Lives” by Tim Porter
In 1988 Tim Porter obtained permission to make these photographic studies of unborn
foetuses stored in the Sirirai Hospital Museum in Bangkok.
He produced these exquisite pictures. The unborn foetuses, many of which are conjoined,
appear to be oating, and traces of all surroundings, the glass jars and the storage solutions,
have disappeared.