Lainard Bush (b.1951)
Golden Flower V, 2016
Materials: Acrylic, spray paint, collage on canvas, 54" x 44"
Location at Summa Health: Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Tower on the Akron Campus (141 N. Forge St.), blue neighborhood, ground floor, H elevator lobby
About the Art and Artist
Golden Flower V is part of Lainard Bush’s ongoing series inspired by the lotus—a symbol of spiritual awakening, purity, and enlightenment in many cultures and religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Baha'i, and Christianity. In these traditions, the lotus is often associated with the divine, and for Buddha, it is said that lotus flowers bloomed with every step he took. As an edible and healing plant, every part of the lotus has symbolic meaning, from its roots to its flowers. Through this series, Bush explores the lotus in both its formal beauty and its deep symbolism, using it as a means to affirm life.
Bush’s abstract paintings are known for their underlying grid structure, which he considers a key element of sacred geometry. Golden Flower V merges this geometric foundation with collage, layering various lotus forms—leaves, flowers, and rhizomes—cut from painted canvas. The artist arranges these pieces into a grid, rotating and flipping them to create complex patterns that evoke richness and vibrancy. After gluing the pieces down, Bush further enhances the composition by painting over and between them, using a mix of small brushes and spray paint to add depth and movement.
The intense colors and strategic use of gold in Golden Flower V create a shimmering effect that feels both otherworldly and meditative. At first glance, the work may appear flat, but a closer look reveals a layered, dynamic space that invites exploration. Bush’s process, which emphasizes experimentation, observation, and analysis, focuses on the materials and techniques used to create the piece rather than representing a specific image or scene. This approach, which Bush likens to alchemy, celebrates the transformative power of the creative process itself.
Bush holds a B.F.A. summa cum laude from Kent State University and an M.F.A. from the San Francisco Art Institute. After moving to the West Coast to work in the film industry, he realized his true passion was painting. He now maintains a studio in the Cleveland area, exhibiting regularly across Ohio and the U.S.
Where You Can See More of This Artist’s Work
Bush’s work is held in the corporate and private collections of Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University, GlaxoSmithKline (Pittsburgh), National Re-Insurance Corporation (Glendale, CA), Atlantis Resort (Bahamas), Sapphire Creek Winery & Gardens (Chagrin Falls), and Erie Insurance Group (Erie, PA), as well as the permanent collections of the San Francisco Art Institute and Kent State University. To learn more about his work, visit his website, which offers multiple perspectives on his career and artistic practice.
The Healing Arts at Summa Health
- Next featured artist: Timothy Callaghan
- Homepage: summahealth.org/art
- More artwork in new patient tower