Seta Manoukian

Seta Manoukian (born 1945) is a Lebanese painter of Armenian descent and a Buddhist nun. She is regarded as part of a generation of modern Lebanese artists whose work reflects the cultural and political transformations of the late 20th century. Her artistic practice has evolved from explorations of psychological space and war-related fragmentation to later engagement with themes of exile, spirituality, and Buddhist philosophy.

Early life and education Manoukian was born in Beirut into an Armenian family. Her work from this period reflects fragmentation, instability, and the impact of war on urban and psychological environments. :

Early period (1960s–1970s): Exploration of interiority, stillness, and psychological space. Civil war period (1975–1985): Depictions of fragmentation, violence, and urban collapse. Exile period (1985–2000): Engagement with displacement and identity, including the “T-shapes” series featuring suspended figures. Buddhist phase (2000–present): Emphasis on spiritual themes such as impermanence, emptiness, and consciousness.

Buddhist life In 2000, Manoukian became associated with a Theravāda Buddhist community in Los Angeles. In 2005, she was ordained as a Buddhist nun in Sri Lanka and received the name Mother Sela.

After nearly a decade focused on Buddhist practice, she resumed painting in 2016.

Publications Lebanese Children and the War (1977)

Reception and legacy Manoukian's work has been discussed in relation to modern Lebanese art, diaspora identity, and the intersection of art and spirituality.

Her later work, influenced by Buddhist philosophy, has been described as a distinctive contribution to contemporary art, reflecting a shift from socio-political engagement to introspective inquiry.