Exploring the Influence of Zen Philosophy on Art and Design

Bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern creativity, the timeless influence of Zen philosophy on art and design continues to captivate thanks to the principles of simplicity, naturalness, asymmetry, subtlety, and tranquillity that resonate across a range of creative expressions.

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio (Wikimedia Commons).
Rooted in the teachings of Buddhism, Zen philosophy’s influence has been felt over the centuries by a breadth of artists from Vincent van Gogh to James Whistler, Agnes Martin, and Mark Rothko, but its influence stretches far beyond the canvas and its principles can be seen in the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as in interior design and product packaging across the world.
“Without awareness of beauty, innocence and happiness, one cannot make works of art,”
Agnes Martin
Abiding by a few key principles, Zen philosophy emphasizes the minimalism (or kanso in Japanese) of simple forms and clean lines, which is reflected in the art of Agnes Martin and Mark Rothko, while the principle of naturalness (shizen) and a preference for natural materials also forms a key tenant of Zen philosophy.
It’s the Zen influence of asymmetry (fukinsei) that’s perhaps most apparent throughout the history of art and can be seen in paintings from Caravaggio to van Gogh. The uneven and irregular forms of asymmetry were used to great effect by the Italian Baroque master in The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, in which Jesus is bathed in light, while the other figures stand in relative shadow to balance the painting visually.

James Abbott McNeill Whistler – Portrait of Whistler’s Mother, Print. Sold for £70 via Dominic Winter Auctions (March 2022).
The influence of asymmetry is evident across a broad breadth of styles, as van Gogh’s The Starry Night plays with the size and color of shapes and objects on either side of the painting to leverage asymmetrical balance. There’s also the building at the end of the avenue of trees in Gustav Klimt’s Avenue of Schloss Kammer Park (1912), or look again how the form of the woman in Portrait of Whistler’s Mother (1871) is visually equal to the black curtain, or even how the rough textured area of the sea is balanced by a large, smooth surface in Hokusai’s The Great Wave of Kanagawa.
Together with a subtlety (yugen) that hints at the beauty of the unseen, a sense of tranquillity (seijaku), and an impermanence (wabi-sabi) that appreciates transience and imperfection, the influence of Zen philosophy on art and design is evident across art and design.
Influence on Traditional Japanese Art
A direct expression of Zen principles, sumi-e (Japanese ink wash painting) uses black ink on white paper to emphasize simplicity, with minimal, spontaneous brushwork capturing the essence of subjects. The Japanese term ‘sumi’ means ‘black ink’ and ‘e’ means ‘painting’, and the greatest sumi–e master is perhaps the Zen monk, Sesshu (1420–1507), who integrated philosophy into his painting at a time when painting was traditionally identified with Zen practice in China and Japan.

Sesshu Toyo – Ink on Paper. Est: $300-$400 via Greater London Auctions, LLC (March 2014).
Not only limited to the canvas, the influence of Zen philosophy is also embodied in Zen gardens (karesansui), in which themes of simplicity, asymmetry, and tranquillity are represented by carefully arranged rocks and plants. The garden at Saiho-ji in Kyoto, which was designed by renowned Zen priest Muso Soseki in the 14th century, is a prime example of this philosophy.

Agnes Martin – Grey Stone II. Sold for $18,718,500 via Sotheby’s (November 2023).
Influence on Modern and Contemporary Art
The concept of Minimalism was radical when Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg established the De Stijl movement in 1917. Central to De Stijl’s philosophy was a concept of pure abstraction called Neoplasticism that reduced art to the basic elements of straight lines, right angles, and primary colors. And while the concept was new, its influence was based on the Zen-inspired concept of simplicity.
Many Minimalists have drawn inspiration from Zen philosophy, with Agnes Martin and Donald Judd focusing on simplicity to incorporate Zen principles into their works. A key figure in male-dominated mid-century abstraction, Agnes Martin’s evocative painted canvases were covered with pencil drawn grids and finished with a thin layer of paint. Typical of the orderly repetition of Minimalism, her paintings were also tied to her spirituality, which was drawn from Zen Buddhism and American Transcendentalism.

Mark Rothko – Orange, Red, Yellow. Sold for $86,882,500 via Christie’s (May 2012).
At the heart of Zen-inspired Minimalism lies the concept of simplicity and the removal of unnecessary ornamentation. This concept is evident in Donald Judd’s brightly colored ‘stacks’ of cantilevered boxes hung vertically in equal intervals to form a striking optical image.
The impact of Zen philosophy can also be seen in Abstract Expressionism of Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman. Characterized by a sense of space, a vibrant and expressive use of vivid blocks, and searing colors, Mark Rothko’s color field paintings would propel him to an uneasy fame and pioneer a new wave of artistic thinking, which had its roots in the Zen philosophy of minimalism, subtlety, and naturalness. Rothko believed that painting was an act of faith and his meditative, minimalist aesthetic dealt with emotion, but in a reduced, less gestural way than Action Painters like Jackson Pollock.

Donald Judd – Untitled. Sold for $8,492,400 via Sotheby’s (November 2023).
An originator of Abstract Expressionism, Barnett Newman changed the course of 20th-century American painting. Newman’s Midnight Blue (1970) shows his interest in Eastern philosophy, with particular reference to the Zen concept of ‘nothingness’, but this philosophical influence isn’t confined to the canvas.
Influence on Architecture and Design
Rooted in Zen aesthetics, the use of natural materials like wood and paper alongside tatami mats and sliding doors in traditional Japanese architecture creates harmonious spaces conducive to contemplation. This approach has had a lasting effect, as modern architects Tadao Ando and Frank Lloyd Wright have both incorporated Zen principles in their designs.

Frank Lloyd Wright “Guggenheim, 1959” Model. Sold for $375 via Morgan Auctions (May 2024).
The designs are distinctly modern, but the approach is influenced by Zen principles, as Ando’s work often includes concrete, wood, and water to create calm spaces, while Frank Lloyd Wright believed that architecture and its surrounding environment should be integrated into an organic whole. Equally, one of the leading lights of modernist architecture and the last director of Bauhaus, Mies van der Rohe, famously declared that “less is more” as part of an ethos that owes a debt to Zen philosophy.
This “less is more” approach is also found in the clean lines, uncluttered spaces, and natural materials of Zen-influenced interior design. This is even evident in day-to-day items, as companies like Muji and Apple have incorporated Zen principles of simplicity, functionality, and minimalism into their designs. In fact, next time you’re shopping, look out for restrained graphics, natural colors, and eco-friendly materials in product packaging to see just how far the influence of Zen aesthetics stretches.
Captivating Influence
Influencing product packaging and resonating across art and design, the influence of Zen philosophy stretches throughout art history and into the modern day. The basic principles of Zen philosophy still echo, as despite its age, Zen-inspired art and design continues to inspire and captivate thanks to its timeless appeal that still serves as a link between ancient wisdom and modern creativity.
Sources: 1605Collective.com – Relationship Between Minimal Art and Zen Philosophy | MetMuseum.org – Zen Buddhism | TheArtofZen.org – Zen-Inspired Minimalism: Finding Harmony in Simplicity | DigitalCommons.sia.edu – The Influence of Zen on Contemporary Aesthetics in Decorative Arts and Interior Design | SCIRP.org – Exploring the Characteristics of Zen Painting | TheArtling.com – Famous Minimalist Art That Defined the Genre | InteractionGreen.com – The Zen of Minimalism: How Minimal Design is a Catalyst for Happiness | Study.com – Asymmetrical Balance in Art | Definition, Design & Examples | ACI-IAC.ca – Style & Technique | PiktoChart.com – What Is Asymmetrical Balance? (Examples + How to Use it) | Sumi-e.it – History of Sumi-e | Magazine.Artland.com – Art Movement: De Stijl | DesignDash.com – All About De Stijl: The Avant-Garde Movement That Pushed Modern Art Towards Abstraction | TheArtSection.com – The Influence of Zen on Artistic Creativity in the ’50s | InteractionGreen.com – “Simplify!” Steve Jobs’ Relentless Quest for Zen Design | FrankLloydWright.org – 5 Ways to Bring Frank Lloyd Wright’s Organic Principles to Your Home