Don't miss the Allen Gallery's feature exhibition of intricate mandalas by Liz Agler, which hangs throughout the month of March.

Of her work, Liz says, "Since childhood, I have been captivated by vivid colors, repeating patterns, and intricate designs. Curtains, quilts, floor tiles, architecture, and clothing all drew my attention. I could lose myself for hours studying their details, each one sparking new inspiration for my art. Over time, my fascination expanded beyond artifacts to the natural world, where I found endless examples of beauty in pattern: the spirals of succulent plants, the unfurling of fiddlehead ferns, the symmetry of a butterfly’s wing, or even the geometric elegance of a single bacterial cell viewed under a microscope.

My interest in mandalas began while taking an Asian Art History course at Penn State in the early 2000s. I was immediately drawn to their layers of meaning and symbolism, as well as the precision and care required to create them. While deeply rooted in spiritual traditions, the word mandala simply means “circle.” For many, including me, the repeating patterns, colors, and harmonies found in a mandala produces a calming effect while simultaneously encouraging a laser-like focus.

Mandalas also represent that beautiful complexity can emerge from simplicity. From simple circles, dots, lines, and basic patterns, one can create something highly intricate and unique. Like nature itself, the possibilities are infinite.“

Interested in purchasing a print or an original piece? Please contact the artist lizzytroisi@gmail.com or find her on Instagram (@lizzygler).