Sacred Mirrors: The Visionary Art of Alex Grey [Paperback]

Alex Grey (Author), Ken Wilber (Contributor), Carlo McCormick (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0892813148 | ISBN-13: 978-0892813148 | Publication Date: September 1, 1990 | Edition: First Printing

This unique series of paintings takes the viewer on a graphic, visionary journey through the physical, metaphysical, and spiritual anatomy of the self. From anatomically correct rendering of the body systems, Grey moves to the spiritual/energetic systems with such images as "Universal Mind Lattice," envisioning the sacred and esoteric symbolism of the body and the forces that define its living field of energy. 

Includes essays on the significance of Grey's work by Ken Wilber, the eminent transpersonal psychologist, and by the noted New York art critic, Carlo McCormick. 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Mr. Grey's paintings, as detailed and anatomically accurate as medical illustrations, present man as an archetypal being struggling toward cosmic unity--Grey's vision of a flawed but perfectable mankind stands as an antidote to the cynicism and spiritual malaise prevalent in much contemporary art."
(New York Times )

"Reverence and beauty radiate from every page."
(Jay Kinney, Gnosis, Winter 1999 )

"These are extraordinary works, exquisitely reproduced. Some people will be illuminated and transformed in the process of viewing. I found them compelling."
(Judi Koteen, Napra Trade Journal, Fall 1990 )

"The majority of Grey's recent work depict spiritual/energetic systems--the sacred and esoteric symbolism of the body and the forces that define its living field of energy."
(Magical Blend, January 1992 )

"The color plates are of exceptional quality depicting both human and spiritual forms in a variety of intriguing and thought-provoking ways."
(The Midwest Book Review )

About the Author

Alex Grey is an artist whose work has appeared in the Stux galleries, New York and Boston; the London Regional Art Gallery, Canada; the University of California Museum of Art, Santa Barbara; the Chicago International Art Exposition; the New Museum, New York; the Grand Palais, Paris; the S㯠Paulo Biennial, Brazil; and numerous other exhibitions. He is also the author of the book Transfigurations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions; First Printing edition (September 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892813148
• ISBN-13: 978-0892813148
• Product Dimensions: 13.6 x 10.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for everyone, just those with eyes in their souls, November 25, 2002

By 

Brooke Pennington "Renaissance girl" (Pocatello, ID USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sacred Mirrors: The Visionary Art of Alex Grey (Paperback)

Alex Grey is quite probably the greatest artist alive today.

With that said, back to the book at hand. Sacred Mirrors is probably the book most people who want to get an idea of Grey's art should buy first. I find it slightly more accessible than Transfigurations, and it does not demand any knowledge of Grey's previous work. For those unfamiliar with his work, he paints almost all of the systems of the body in a transparent fashion, layered on top of each other. In his paintings you will see bones, nerves, blood vessels, chakras, and auras all at once. It can be overwhelming, but careful study of the paintings can make you see ordinary processes like kissing in a whole new way. And if you keep looking deeply at his paintings, things will keep revealing themselves. He also paints deities, from Avalokiteshvara to Jesus, with loving detail. This is definitely a great coffee-table book (and so much more!) for anyone interested in how transcendental theories of energy would manifest themselves visually. Grey's book also makes delightful entertainment for any kind of trip. Overall a sound buy for almost anyone who gets that feeling, sometimes, that there may be things going on in our physical reality that we just can't percieve. Grey can see them, and he has shared them with us.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I only wish you could see the paintings in this book to know, July 9, 2000

By 

seeker "tink-im" (cincinnati, ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sacred Mirrors: The Visionary Art of Alex Grey (Hardcover)

If you never read one word of this book the images alone are so rich, and tell thier own story. As you leaf through the book page by page an understanding of who we were and who we will become emerges giving hope to the viewer that he is more than he thought. I feel this work came from a higher place. As a Nurse, I know this artist is exact when drawing the body, and as a spiritual person, I feel he is exact in depicting the spirit. This is a great reference for people doing 'Reiki" or "Healing Touch" because you shows you in images, what your feeling in your work. I highly recommend this to anyone in the healing arts. (I hope Amazon.com will print some pictures here for the public) thanks :-)

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully realized.., May 29, 2001

By 

Charles Pinney (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sacred Mirrors: The Visionary Art of Alex Grey (Paperback)

I'll be the first to admit I had never heard of Alex Grey before. However, I am a fan of the music group Tool. The artwork on their new CD was done by Alex Grey. I never paid this much mind until I was in a book store a couple weeks ago and passed right by "Sacred Mirrors". I stopped, turned around, snatched it up and ran to the counter. Upon further reading I must say it is phenomenal..

The essays presented talk about Alex and his work. They provide an indepth look at his philosophies on transcendence. While enjoyable to read the real reason to buy the book is the art. I have never seen anything quite like Grey's work. It is bold and bright. His use of colors and their correspondence in the human body are simply amazing.

This book is definitely recommended for anyone who wants to view the human body; our physical, mental, and most importantly, our spiritual side, in a whole new light.