DISAPPEARANCE AND ASCENSION
 An International Traveling Exhibition 
by Calley O'Neill and the Rama Team, Featuring Rama, the Artist Elephant
A JOURNEY OF ART AND SOUL FOR THE EARTH 
RAMA: AMBASSADOR FOR THE ENDANGERED ONES
Speaking Passionately on Behalf of Those who Cannot Speak
by Calley O’Neill and Rama the Elephant with Jeb Barsh
When Rama died in March, 2015, two days shy of his 32 April Fool’s Day birthday, Jeb and I cried a river…

Jeb asked that this painting represent and honor the great spirit of RAMA as he disappeared from this Earth, and ascended to the Great Mystery.  This work, he suggested, was to be the visual spirit of RAMA and stand alone fully adorned as a wildlife thangka painting.

I felt that, as an integral part of THE RAMA EXHIBITION: A JOURNEY OF ART AND SOUL FOR THE EARTH, the Earth had to be there, and the painting affirmed and showed me where. It came to me that LOVE IS THE ANSWER and this was the message wanting to come forth, and the painting affirmed. I saw that the lettering and the Earth had to be ethereal in nature, and the painting showed me how.

Together Julia Fairchild, our master seamstress and I discerned the fabrics and it is a beautiful tribute to a great Being, whose work IS the heart and center of THE RAMA EXHIBITION. It is, as he was, the Alpha and Omega. The spirit of the work. The breath of the work. The inspiration for the work. The medium for the work. The power of the work that here flies free into eternity.

May RAMA’s work travel the world, find a permanent home and fulfill the vision entrusted in Jeb and me to reach millions of people’s hearts and minds to protect this living breathing amazing EARTH.  LOVE IS THE ANSWER

DISAPPEARANCE AND ASCENSION by Calley O’Neill and Rama the Elephant with Jeb Barsh Keeper Jeb Barsh and Rama the Artist Elephant were, in a sense, brothers. In this painting Rama was in his transcendent Angel period, which he did all that summer, thus this beautiful painting has the feeling of ascension and release. Jeb called after Rama’s death and requested this painting be a requiem and honoring of his life. And so it is.
DISAPPEARANCE AND ASCENSION by Calley O’Neill and Rama the Elephant with Jeb Barsh Keeper Jeb Barsh and Rama the Artist Elephant were, in a sense, brothers. In this painting Rama was in his transcendent Angel period, which he did all that summer, thus this beautiful painting has the feeling of ascension and release. Jeb called after Rama’s death and requested this painting be a requiem and honoring of his life. And so it is.DISAPPEARANCE AND ASCENSION by Calley O’Neill and Rama the Elephant with Jeb Barsh Keeper Jeb Barsh and Rama the Artist Elephant were, in a sense, brothers. In this painting Rama was in his transcendent Angel period, which he did all that summer, thus this beautiful painting has the feeling of ascension and release. Jeb called after Rama’s death and requested this painting be a requiem and honoring of his life. And so it is.DISAPPEARANCE AND ASCENSION by Calley O’Neill and Rama the Elephant with Jeb Barsh Keeper Jeb Barsh and Rama the Artist Elephant were, in a sense, brothers. In this painting Rama was in his transcendent Angel period, which he did all that summer, thus this beautiful painting has the feeling of ascension and release. Jeb called after Rama’s death and requested this painting be a requiem and honoring of his life. And so it is.
DISAPPEARANCE AND ASCENSION by Calley O’Neill and Rama the Elephant with Jeb Barsh Keeper Jeb Barsh and Rama the Artist Elephant were, in a sense, brothers. In this painting Rama was in his transcendent Angel period, which he did all that summer, thus this beautiful painting has the feeling of ascension and release. Jeb called after Rama’s death and requested this painting be a requiem and honoring of his life. And so it is.
Looking at Disappearance and Ascension in a smaller format, allows you to see the whole without scrolling.
Calley carefully sealed the painting, moving her brush in accordance with Rama’s breath.
Each painting is finished with upcycled fabrics for the thangka border, and the painting makes it clear what colors,textures and combinations to choose.
When we are selecting all the fabrics, rod, tassels for each painting, Julia and I will ask the opinions of all those around, including Calley’s son NOA, rallying in the Paul Revere ware to grab attention for our Kickstarter campaign!
Hanging as a wildlife thangka painting symbolizing the spirit of RAMA, the painting stood alone and brought peace to the IUCN World Conservation Congress.