...it's hard not to be cynical when the U.N hosts an exhibit entitled 'Paintings for World Harmony'. But in this case the artist warrants a suspension of disbelief: the acrylics are by Sri Chinmoy, the recently deceased humanitarian who campaigned tirelessly for tolerance and peace...
The painting resembles a landscape, its thousands of tiny brightly colored blue, green, red and purple birds forming hills and valleys near the center. It is one of Jamaica [Queens, New York]-based peace leader Sri Chinmoy's many variations for a series in which he drew seven million "dream-freedom-peace-birds"...
. . .There are many acts of religious devotion besides prayer - poetry, fasting, music, even athletics. Sri Chinmoy, a spiritual teacher from India and self-styled world ambassador for peace, has done them all. In the last two years he has channeled his spiritual devotion into drawing birds. Two million of them. "Each bird is a God-messenger on earth," the 62-year-old mystic said. "When people look at the bird drawings, they feel a sense of peace." . . ,
. . . Sri Chinmoy, 63, a spiritual leader and international peace ambassador, recently finished his latest endeavor – a 3½ year project drawing 4 million “Dream-Freedom-Peace Birds.” . . . “When you see a bird is flying, do you not get joy? Even when you are depressed or upset?” asked Chinmoy. “If one has joy, by watching one [bird drawing], then I am satisfied because their real joy comes from within.” . . .