Philip Ayres latest body of work ‘Land of the Great Spirit’ is a living growing collection of imagery born out of a unique vision that has roots in both Australian and Eastern spirituality. Being born in the 50s on the edge of the Australian outback has instilled in Phillip a life long association with the landscape.
During his formative years Phillip was mentored by prominent Australian artists, Desmond Norman and Ronald Miller. Then in his early twenties Philip studied under the mentorship of the great photographic master, Athol Shmith.
Through his art and photography Philip pushed the boundaries of expression and eventually realised that the greatest creation was in the mind itself. This led him on a search that would take him beyond the worldly visual and sensory existence, in the direction of his inner experience and its relation to the universe. Eastern philosophies had a particular appeal to Philip because of their emphasis on personal inner development.
In 1977 he took the ordination as a Buddhist monk in Thailand and was given his spiritual name 
‘Visuddhacara’. During his many years as a monk living in the forests of Sri Lanka he developed a great respect and love for the pristine wilderness, and saw the truths that can be found in these remote areas. His spiritual teacher was the great meditation Master of recent times, Venerable Nyanarama Mahathera whom he lived close to for several years in a forest monastery called Nissarana Vanaya.
After spending a number of years living in and appreciating the wilderness areas he returned to Melbourne, Australia, in 1992 and co-founded ICPP International College of Creative Arts. As Director of the College and Director of Studies until 2008 Philip mentored numerous successful professional photographers and photographic artists, both local and international, and oversaw 
the successful training of students in other areas such as fine art, multi-media and creative advertising. The college with campuses in Melbourne, Sydney and overseas was one of Australia’s leading creative arts colleges.
During these years Philip continued to produce and exhibit fine art photographs of the natural world and also staged themes. Philip has won multiple national and international awards for his works.
Visuddhacara (Phillip Ayres) now spends many months each year traversing remote wilderness areas to capture on large and medium format film, the beauty and suffering of this lonely planet as it plays out in the cosmic game birth, life and death.
Land of the Great Spirit
Nissarana Galleries
Until 31 December, 2013
Queensland
Images:
Visuddhacara (Phillip Ayres), The Awakening
Visuddhacara (Phillip Ayres), Tree of Time
Visuddhacara (Phillip Ayres), Red Salvation
