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Artwork Description Enso: Stop!* In Enso: Stop!, Virginia Cohn Parkum reinterprets the Zen ensō—traditionally a single, continuous circle representing enlightenment, emptiness, and the unity of existence—by interrupting its contemplative calm with a striking gesture: the imprint of a human hand. The circle, rendered in dense sumi ink, sweeps around the composition with a textured gradation that reveals the speed, pressure, and breath of the brush. Its edges feather into the paper, suggesting both motion and dissolution, as if the form is still becoming. At the center, a dark handprint asserts itself with visceral immediacy. Unlike the controlled brushstroke of the ensō, the hand is raw, physical, and direct. It introduces the body into what is traditionally a meditative symbol of transcendence. The open palm reads simultaneously as a command, a boundary, and a moment of contact—an unmistakable sign to halt. The title Stop! reframes the ensō’s meaning. Rather than symbolizing uninterrupted flow or spiritual completion, the circle becomes a field of interruption. The gesture suggests the necessity of pause: a break in habitual motion, a stopping of thought, a suspension between action and awareness. In Zen practice, such interruption can mark the moment of awakening—the instant when attention breaks through the automatic rhythms of daily life. The contrast between controlled brushwork and the immediacy of the handprint heightens the work’s tension. The ensō embodies discipline and tradition; the handprint embodies presence and urgency. Together, they create a visual koan, asking whether enlightenment arrives through continuity or through rupture. The red seal stamp anchors the composition within East Asian ink traditions, while the handprint’s contemporary directness situates the work firmly in the present. Enso: Stop! becomes an invitation: to pause, to notice, and to recognize the transformative power of interruption. |
*The title of this work was assigned by Visard Gallery. |
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Custom Shipping Notice Due to size, weight, and handling requirements, this painting requires custom shipping. Shipping costs are not included at the time of purchase and will be quoted separately after payment is received. A custom shipping invoice will be issued within 3–5 business days, based on the artwork’s dimensions, destination, and quotes from our shipping partners. The artwork will not ship until the shipping invoice has been paid in full. This process ensures appropriate packing, insurance, and safe delivery. |
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Vintage Condition Disclaimer Special Condition Notes Historical Frame (please see Historical Framing & Framing Components Policy) Please note this is a framed print directly from the artist. Though a limited multiple, the frame along with Virginia's signature on the verso is unique to this piece. |
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Provenance* 2020s-2025: Virginia Cohn Parkum 2025-2026: Cordier Auctions 2026-Present: Visard Gallery *Provenance and attribution details are based on our best research and are offered in good faith but are not guaranteed. Please contact us through the contact form with any questions prior to purchase. |
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Enso: Stop! (Framed Print) - Virginia Cohn Parkum, c. 2020s
$100.00
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Enso: Stop! (Framed Print) - Virginia Cohn Parkum, c. 2020s
$100.00
Historical Framing & Framing Components Policy