Commission for Body Mechanics Acupuncture in Morningside Heights, NYC. Series of 5 artworks based on the Chinese elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water
Acrylic on paper mounted to mdf, 12 x 12 inches, 2020

Body Mechanics owner Tabitha Silver asked for an element panel for each “Peace Pod”… cubicles designed for patients to receive short sessions of acupuncture and massage.

Images in the paintings allude to historical associations for each element based on the Chinese Elemental Theory:

Wood
Color: Green
Cardinal direction: East
Body part: Eyes
Season: Spring
Emotions: Anger
Life Cycle: Birth
Yin Organs: Liver
Yang Organs: Galbladder

Fire:
Color: Red
Cardinal direction: South
Body part: Tongue
Season: Summer
Emotions: Joy
Life Cycle: Adolescence
Yin Organs: Heart
Yang Organs: Small intestines

Earth:
Color: Yellow
Cardinal direction: Center of compass
Body part: Mouth
Season: Between seasons
Emotions: Worry / Overthink
Life Cycle: Young Adulthood
Yin Organs: Spleen
Yang Organs: Stomach

Metal:
Color: White
Cardinal direction: West
Body part: Nose
Season: Fall
Emotions: Sadness / Grief
Life Cycle: Adulthood
Yin Organs: Lung
Yang Organs: Large intestines

Water:
Color: Black, sometimes depicted as Blue
Cardinal direction: North
Body part: Ear
Season: Winter
Emotions: Shock / Fear
Life Cycle: Old age
Yin Organs: Kidney
Yang Organs: Bladder