{"product_id":"kala-mandala-heavenly-bodies","title":"Kala Mandala - Heavenly Bodies","description":"\u003ch3\u003eKala Mandala Art \u0026amp; Research\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeavenly Bodies\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a collection of selected illustrations drawn between 2023–2024. I also wrote an introduction outlining my thoughts and intentions underpinning the creation of Kala Mandala, and featured some material objects from Southeast Asia that have been important in my world building.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe illustrations are accompanied by write-ups on questions like, “What have Southeast Asian people historically used instead of paper?”, and “What are Khakkharas and their relationship to Southeast Asian Buddhism?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll images and expositions are intended to help folks visualize this space of Southeast Asian fantasy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can read the introduction below. It’s short but took me years to achieve this clarity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKala Mandala is a fantasy world centred on Southeast Asia. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is created from years of reading and learning, brewing and stewing, drawing and exploring. It is born from imagining a night sky, identifying stars and mapping constellations. I have drawn many stars, many constellations.A few stars have helped in guiding my way. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCentering on Southeast Asia, leaving Eurocentric fantasy.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExploring the region's shared histories and fluid identities, departing from ethno-nationalist narratives.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBolstering imagination and fun, beyond tokenism and representation.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are some of those stars, their constellations, and the paths they have illuminated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are 3 sections:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack and white drawings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColoured illustrations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInteresting objects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpecifications: 40 pages, A5 size  (148 x 2210 mm or 5.83 x 8.27 inches) \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Centaur Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47839833030882,"sku":null,"price":29.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2029\/9579\/files\/hb1_2040x_4dc83c0f-52e4-4ecc-8868-813562b648a9.jpg?v=1780097693","url":"https:\/\/www.theswordandboardtoronto.com\/products\/kala-mandala-heavenly-bodies","provider":"The Sword \u0026 Board","version":"1.0","type":"link"}