A Daruma is a paper mâché figure that represents Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. It is said he prayed for so long in the same position—hands joined and legs crossed—that he lost his limbs, leaving him round.

In Japan it is considered a talisman of good luck and perseverance. The owner makes a wish and paints one eye of the Daruma. The Daruma is then placed on a shelf at home, often nearby an altar to remind them of the wish. The Daruma itself doesn’t grant the wish, but is a method for the owner to achieve it by their own efforts. If the goal is reached, the owner paints the other eye; if not, the Daruma is there to remind us that failure is a part of life.

Prayer Object is an aggregate, in which each element is a prayer itself. The entire piece forms a Buddhist prayer rosary, its elements made of Darumas in place of beads. It represents the power of intention and the ability we all have to visualise our desires.