María Paz Contreras Buzeta

Inspired in part by The Kybalion and its major themes that certain truths are not limited by time, nations or religion- my pictorical work investigates the concept of peace (spelled PAZ in Spanish), and explores the ancient philosophical similarities between Western and eastern cultures, particularly China and the Americas.

When transcribed together, in cultural juxtaposition, the number 7 appears as an inverted reflection of the Other, serving as a metaphor for the notion that opposites create balance. There is no Other, but in fact another half. Both sevens, when combined, create a separate form resembling the shape of Zhong 🀄. By blending and developing a unique version of historical, literal, and creative analysis, I’ve retitled this shape “The Alchemy of Peace”.

The number 7 takes on an even greater significance when considering that there are 7 guiding principles contained in The Kybalion. These principles are related to: rhythm, vibration, polarity, gender, mentalism, cause and effect. And all of these postulates allude to the dual movement existing between active and passive side, the left and the right, the West and the East.