Pumpkin Building
Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat.
1958.
Concrete and other materials.
Located in Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), south of Vientiane, Laos. This three-tiered structure is said to represent heaven, earth, and hell. The inner-rooms (some lit, some not) are filled with concrete sculpture.
Here's what the Lonely Planet guide to Laos says about Buddha Park: "The park was designed and built in 1958 by Luang Pu (Venerable Grandfather) Bunleua Sulilat, a yogi-priest-shaman who merged Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, mythology, and iconography into a cryptic whole ... Originally, Bunleua is supposed to have studied under a Hindu rishi (sage) who lived in Vietnam. According to legend, he was walking in the mountains when he fell through a sinkhole and landed in the rishi's lap! He remained in the cave, called Kaew Ku (Jewel Grotto), for several years."
Visit the Laos gallery for more images from Buddha Park.
Back to Outsider Art gallery
Copyright © 2001 G. A. Ruesga and W. R. Niedzwiecki. All rights reserved.