"Art reflects the level of consciousness of the artist. Artists should therefore give at least the same importance to their spiritual development as to their academic development in order to foster evolution, assuming that our purpose of life is to contribute to evolution and not to decadence."

Andreas' Self Portrait of Envisioned Aspirations was selected to be shown at the Cambridge Art Association's National Prize Show, May 3 - June 24, 2004.

Reception: May 6, 2004, 7-9pm

For more information, please visit https://www.AndreasGmur.com or call 1- 877-462-6394.

The entire universe, all the galaxies, suns, and planets are made out of the same "clay".

All plants, animals, humans and even non living objects like rocks are made of the same "clay" from mother earth, hence the same "clay" the universe is made off.

The sum of All the "clay" is "Cosmic Energy"; others might call this Divine Force, God, or Allah.

Cosmic Energy can be in different states, similarly to the water molecule. Water can be solid (ice) liquid (water) and gas (vapor). It is still water, yet the distance between the molecules is different.

A simplified interpretation states that Cosmic Energy can be in the solid form of matter (body) or in the pure state of Energy (spirit). Einstein captured this intimate relationship between matter and Energy in his most known formula E=mc2.

There might have been just pure Cosmic Energy (Spirit, Divine Force, God, or Allah) before the Big Bang. Part or all of this Energy slowed down and changed into matter during the Big Bang, similarly as vapor condenses to liquid water.

Our biological life in form of flesh and bones is just a temporal state. Our physical bodies will eventually go back from where they came from, namely mother earth and Cosmic Energy. It is a closed system, therefore nothing is lost. It is a perpetual change between Energy and matter until matter reaches the level of consciousness of "Cosmic Energy".

This 'evolution of consciousness' goes along with Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Biological evolution has advanced to the point that a 'spiritual evolution' is taking place. This natural process of growth, increase of complexity, or shift towards divinity is happening, no matter if we humans are aware of it or not, if we want it to happen or not. Our consciousness level is growing towards 'Christ or Buddha Consciousness' as a child grows to become an adult. We can actually determine how much and how fast we grow towards this ultimate goal during our biological lifetime through examples handed down to us from ancient spiritual practices. For example, holistic exercises harmonize our three bodies (physical- biological, mental-psychological, and spiritual) which tend to be out of balance in our modern society due to stress, attachments and sick behavior. We are only truly a 'balanced being' if we are equally balanced in these three dimensions. Buddha and Jesus, to mention a few, were Masters of this 'applied wisdom'. We can attain a high level of consciousness as they did if we only believe in it and take the path of spiritual growth with 100% devotion and dedication as they did. The Visual Art is a language through in which humans can express their consciousness. This ability sets us apart from animals, for example. An artist with a highly evolved consciousness level can potentially (through some academic skills) create works of art that visualize and radiate this high level of energy. This energy is 'contagious', be it on a conscious or subconscious level of the viewer. This means that looking at art can foster spiritual growth.

Artists should therefore give at least the same importance to their spiritual development as to their academic development in order to foster evolution, assuming that our purpose of life is to contribute to evolution and not to decadence.

Andreas Gm�r was born in Switzerland and grew up in Brazil and Colombia. He has been living in the U.S.A since 1995 where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Boston University (1997) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University (2002).

Andreas has been passionately painting since 1990 and has exhibited his artwork in numerous group shows in Switzerland and the United States. He has been influenced by "Action-Painting" defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica as: "direct, instinctual, and highly dynamic kind of art that involves the spontaneous application of vigorous, sweeping brushstrokes and the chance effects of dripping and spilling paint onto the canvas." Andreas refers to his technique as "Chi-Energy-Painting" influenced by eastern spiritual exercises, which goes hand in hand with his attempt to visualize "Cosmic Energy".

Andreas' recent paintings convey an ethereal and metaphysical dimension through numerous thin layers of translucent oil paint build up on the canvas. Andreas had a couple of life changing mystical experiences in 1997, which led him to his ultimate goal to contribute to the rise of human solidarity and environmental awareness as well as to awaken the desire for spiritual growth in as many individuals as possible.

Andreas' "Self Portrait of Envisioned Aspirations" was selected to be shown at the Cambridge Art Association's National Prize Show, May 3 - June 24, 2004.

Reception: May 6, 2004, 7-9pm

For more information, please visit https://www.AndreasGmur.com or call 1- 877-462-6394.