On February 8, Blue Lotus will be auctioned off during the University of Idaho Prichard Art Gallery’s biennial Invitational Art Exhibition and Auction. The lotus is a recurrent symbol in SARA’s work, and Blue Lotus is noteworthy in that it was one of the few paintings the artist displayed in her home/studio. SARA’s son, Bill, shared some of his thoughts about this piece.
One archetypal symbol to SARA was the lotus. Her journals make several references to the symbol, and the lotus image appears in other works. SARA would have understood the lotus as it relates to a human condition: when roots are in deepest mud, the lotus produces the most beautiful flower.Buddha was an important influence in much of SARA’s work and it is said that lotus flowers appeared in the Buddha’s first footprints on earth. and that when King Tutankhamen’s casket was opened in 1922, lotus flowers were found scattered in his tomb.SARA chose to display Blue Lotus in her homes because medicinally and symbolically, the lotus blossom is known for its relaxing and calming properties. Blue Lotus is also recognized as a mild mood lift and most notably in the context of SARA’s work — an enhancement of dream states.— Bill Caccia