Daniel Byron
This piece explores the alluring and destructive nature of the Japanese Doomsday Cult Aum Shinrikyo and its founder Shoko Asahara. Aum Shinrikyo combined elements of Buddhism, Hinduism and apocalyptic beliefs in their teachings, all culminating into acts of terrorism and murder in Japan in the 90's. The painting represents the psychedelic and enticing nature of the belief system, while also trying to convey the distortion and destruction of the Self and Buddhism.