"Theatre of Redemption” represents one aspect of this visual anthropologist’s fifteen-year exploration of Buddhism, spirit possession and afterlife research in context of Southeast Asian ritual. My research is undertaken to fathom the transcendent elements of human nature. Specifically, the elements manifested in religious rituals requiring an independent animating spirit; the multidimensional ‘is’, and the universal power of self-realization through one’s superconscious self. “Theatre of Redemption” in its feigned brutality pursues a ritual quest for the singular equality which connects and unifies all intelligent sentient beings: the soul.

Self-sacrifice NOT self-punishment, from the extreme ritual acts performed for the karmic benefit of all, redemption comes equally to the possessing saints for their suffering through self-mortification; to the spirit mediums for lending their bodies to saints to mortify; and to devotees whose negative karma is ritually annulled.