Unsettled: Art finds home in gallery

To celebrate the spirit and resilience of its culture, a Tibetan art exhibition, titled “Unsettled”, is being organised in McLeodganj under the aegis of Khadhok, a Tibetan Art’s Collective.

Being hosted at Buddha’s abode from November 1 to 16, it showcases a remarkable collection of artworks illustrated by Tibetan artists. These paintings not only exhibit individual dreams of the artists but the strength of a community, miles away from its homeland.

The present members of this collective include Tashi Nyima, Tenzin Melak and Lea Taake. Founded in 2023, they wanted to provide a dedicated space for contemporary Tibetan artists to exhibit their creations and raise awareness about the importance of their art. Nyima, while talking to The Tribune, said, “These illustrations are a lifeline for us — a way to preserve identity, history and culture. Art for the Tibetans serves to connect them to the tangible pieces of heritage displaced from their native settlements.”

Late Chungpo Tsering’s paintings

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• The artworks made by late Chungpo Tsering, while living in exile, are inseparable from his political activism and portray the struggles of the community. His paintings “When the art is thin” and “Selfie” are a grim reminder of the political restriction and cultural suppression in Tibet

• The paintings made by Late Chungpo Tsering are open to interpretation by the onlookers. These symbolise devastation, self-immolation and strict surveillance back in their homeland

Of the 20 participants, the notable artists whose creations were displayed in the exhibition include Aku Trak, Jigme Namdol, Kesang Lamdark, Losang Gyatso, Monsal Pekar, Sherab, Late Chungpo Tsering, Tenzin Dolker, Tashi Nyima and many more. The display features caricatures, charcoal paintings, scarfs and embroidery.

Karma Sichoe, a thangka painter, contemporary artist and co-founder of Dolls4Tibet, is driven by a profound dedication to the Tibetan cause. The political turmoil in Tibet has pushed its diaspora to both preserve the Tibetan cultural heritage and keep it vibrant. Enigmatic as these were, the artworks give an insight into the emotional void they envision.