Author(s): Anthony Zemke

NZ Art

Initially released alongside an exhibition by the same name, ‘Meditations on Some Answered Questions’ is a first attempt by Tāmaki Makaurau-based artist Anthony Zemke at marrying spiritual literature and abstract art in a single publication. The publication contains a series of 19 extracts from the divinely-inspired writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and 19 accompanying black ink ‘meditative illustrations’. The subjects covered in these writings — and illustrations — are expansive; ranging from 'Free Will and Its Limits', to 'The Origin of the Universe and the Evolution of Man' and ‘The Appearance of the Spirit in the Body'. Two introductory essays preface the publication and provide an overview of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s life, His writings, and the inspiration and symbolism behind the abstract ‘meditative illustrations’.