I Circle the Sun Like a Shadow, 2012
Oil and Conté on Paper
57 × 44 1/4 in | 144.8 × 112.4 cm
Frame included
I Circle the Sun Like Shadow (2012) is a deeply introspective oil and Conté work on cold-pressed French watercolor paper, forming the third major painting in Sean Rush’s Prayer Series. The title is drawn directly from Rumi, the 13th-century Sufi poet, imbuing the work with spiritual and poetic resonance rooted in mystical tradition.
The painting portrays a man reclining in quiet stillness—bathed in light yet edged with shadow—embodying a posture of humility and contemplation. Rush blends anatomical realism with expressive gesture: warm umber tones and fluid contours define the figure, while the surrounding space dissolves into delicate washes and minimalist marks. The visible paper surface reinforces a sense of tactile vulnerability and emotional clarity.
Rather than depicting a formal religious act, I Circle the Sun Like Shadow evokes the internal experience of meditation and prayer. The interplay of subtle light, posture, and restraint renders a profound moment of emotional stillness.
As a companion to Modern Prayer and Gathering Perspective, this piece deepens Rush’s exploration of spiritual devotion, interior focus, and the sublime threshold where visual gesture becomes an act of prayer.
The painting portrays a man reclining in quiet stillness—bathed in light yet edged with shadow—embodying a posture of humility and contemplation. Rush blends anatomical realism with expressive gesture: warm umber tones and fluid contours define the figure, while the surrounding space dissolves into delicate washes and minimalist marks. The visible paper surface reinforces a sense of tactile vulnerability and emotional clarity.
Rather than depicting a formal religious act, I Circle the Sun Like Shadow evokes the internal experience of meditation and prayer. The interplay of subtle light, posture, and restraint renders a profound moment of emotional stillness.
As a companion to Modern Prayer and Gathering Perspective, this piece deepens Rush’s exploration of spiritual devotion, interior focus, and the sublime threshold where visual gesture becomes an act of prayer.