The Useful Void is a concept drawn from Taoist philosophy, particularly the Tao Te Ching, where emptiness is understood not as absence or nothingness, but as something that makes function and possibility possible. One famous passage describes how a wheel is formed around an empty hub, a vessel is useful because of the empty space inside it, and a room becomes usable because of its doors, windows, and interior space. The solid material gives something its form, but the empty space allows that form to serve a purpose. This reflects the Taoist idea that what is absent can be just as important as what is present.
Framing Note: Frames are selected by the artist and are included primarily to protect the artwork during handling and transit. Collectors are welcome to reframe the artwork after receipt according to their personal preference.
Material: Mixed Metals
Imperial
Piece: 23" × 23"
Frame: 29.3" × 29.3"
Weight: 9.26 lbs
Metric
Piece: 58.4 × 58.4 cm
Frame: 74.4 × 74.4 cm
Weight: 4.20 kg
The Useful Void is a concept drawn from Taoist philosophy, particularly the Tao Te Ching, where emptiness is understood not as absence or nothingness, but as something that makes function and possibility possible. One famous passage describes how a wheel is formed around an empty hub, a vessel is useful because of the empty space inside it, and a room becomes usable because of its doors, windows, and interior space. The solid material gives something its form, but the empty space allows that form to serve a purpose. This reflects the Taoist idea that what is absent can be just as important as what is present.
Framing Note: Frames are selected by the artist and are included primarily to protect the artwork during handling and transit. Collectors are welcome to reframe the artwork after receipt according to their personal preference.
Material: Mixed Metals
Imperial
Piece: 23" × 23"
Frame: 29.3" × 29.3"
Weight: 9.26 lbs
Metric
Piece: 58.4 × 58.4 cm
Frame: 74.4 × 74.4 cm
Weight: 4.20 kg
