Learn About This Ancient Religious Bhutanese Artform

Tangkha paintings are a symbol of Bhutan&rsquos culture with deep religious origins. Although Tangkha art&rsquos style traces its roots back to India, the land of Buddhism, the Bhutanese developed a truly custom art style. Bhutanese artist Zeikor and his team are doing their bit to promote this ancient art form with their recently held exhibition, Whispered Wisdom.

TÄ&AcircrÄÂ, a tantric meditation deity, is said to have originated from the goddess Durga and is now worshipped in both Buddhism and Shaktism as one of the ten Mahavidyas. Tangkhas, which visually portray the life of Buddha, other deities, and bodhisattvas, are significant teaching tools. The art of Bhutanese Tangkha features legends, stories, and deities from Mahayana Buddhism.

The exhibited canvases are crafted in accordance with Buddhist scriptures and adhere to strict guidelines, as they convey symbolism and allusion and are overtly religious. Each Tangkha is meticulously created with various elements, including earthly pigments and minerals like 24-karat gold and other natural colours.

The exhibition curators Arjun Sawhney and Tania Lefebvre, explained how they approached the story of Thangkha art and what drove them to come up with this exhibition.

What drew you to Tangkha art

Arjun Sawhney&nbspI have always been fascinated by the story a thangka tells via each painting the technique is mathematical and so perfect, unlike any other artwork. I wanted to take the concept and work with colours other than traditional ones and teach the artists to work with new designs and methods of mixing colours more beautifully.

Please tell us something about the collection and how you went about choosing the pieces

Arjun Sawhney&nbspThe collection is a mixed one, unlike other shows. I wanted to do a new look in black and gold and silver, with 3D work, which was super fresh and entirely new for the artists also. Then came the miniature Tara&rsquos which we have only done in large sizes in the past - this time, with these small artworks, we were able to tell the entire story in one image. Then we did the goddesses of offering in simple earth tones and put them on stonewashed canvases. Then the mandalas with an out-of-the-box concept of geometric lines as the backdrop. So the collection has Budha, Guru and Tara.

Who are the artists on display, and can you tell us more about this ancient Bhutanese art

Arjun Sawhney&nbspThe main artist was Zeiko, along with his team of freelance artists. The art on display is an old art form from the temples and was only owned and displayed for religious reasons. We have adapted it and made it ours, yet all that it symbolises is rooted in tradition.