Description :

This expressive ceramic sculpture by Richard Kirsten‑Daiensai features a seated, meditative figure with a halo‑like form rising behind the head—an unmistakable nod to Kirsten’s lifelong engagement with Buddhist imagery and temple iconography. The figure holds a staff and is robed in flowing, stylized garments, rendered with Kirsten’s characteristic blend of abstraction and spiritual symbolism.

The surface shows intentional textural variation and organic irregularities, giving the piece a timeless, almost archaeological presence. The muted earth‑tone glaze and sculptural fragmentation are consistent with Kirsten’s later ceramic work, where he explored themes of enlightenment, guardianship, and inner stillness. A powerful, contemplative example of his sculptural practice.

Short Artist Bio — Richard Kirsten‑Daiensai (1920–2013)

Richard Kirsten‑Daiensai was a Seattle‑based painter, printmaker, sculptor, and Zen Buddhist priest whose work blended modernist forms with East Asian spiritual traditions. Born in Chicago and later settling in Seattle, he studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Washington, served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, and spent nearly fifty years traveling annually to Japan and Korea. These travels deeply shaped his artistic language.

Kirsten’s work—whether prints, paintings, or ceramics—centers on themes of contemplation, gratitude, cosmic connection, and the quiet humor of everyday life. His pieces are held in collections including the Seattle Art Museum and the Library of Congress, and he remains one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beloved spiritual modernists.

8.5" tall

5" wide