Her Majesty Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck graced the opening of an art exhibition titled “Echoes of a Kingdom: A Tribute to the Bodhisattva King of Bhutan” at the Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Center in Bumthang today. Croatian artist Tatjana Krizmanic showcased 70 oil paintings to honour the 70th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
The exhibition opens with a portrait of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo from the time of his coronation in 1974.
It then unfolds into paintings of valleys, rivers, paddy fields and Bhutanese monks, each reflecting His Majesty’s enduring legacy of environmental conservation, cultural preservation and the pursuit of happiness.
The artist, Tatjana Krizmanic, has never met His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. She first learnt about His Majesty at the age of 14 when her father showed her an article on the coronation of the 17-year-old King.
The story of a young monarch dedicating his life to the service of his nation deeply inspired her.
She says preparing for this exhibition over the past year filled her with joy and strengthened her admiration for His Majesty, whom she regards as a Bodhisattva.
“When I was invited, it was rather last minute. Oil painting takes time to dry, so at first I thought it was impossible and planned only a small collection. But as I painted, I became more inspired, kept reading more about His Majesty, and the work turned into a joyful task.”
She was invited to exhibit her work by Tshering Tashi, the director of Bhutan Echoes.
The exhibition will remain open to the public until December.
All 70 paintings will be gifted to the Wangduechhoeling Palace Museum and Cultural Center, and Bhutan Echoes.
Her Majesty the Queen Mother thanked Tatjana Krizmanic for her generous gift to the country.
“Today I am very, very moved to be able to thank you, Tatjana, for your gift to Bhutan. Through these 70 paintings dedicated to His Majesty the Great Fourth, you have captured the spirit, the life and the nuances of Bhutan, our beauty, our heritage and the spirit of the Bhutanese people.
Visitors at the exhibition were both moved by the powerful story and impressed by the artist’s skill.
Phenki, a visitor from Bhutan Foundation said, “It is simply beautiful. It captures the colours of Bhutan so well. The paintings show the love the artist has for Bhutan, and that love shines through her work. The style is very different from what we normally see.”
The Wanguechholing Palace Museum and Cultural Center plans to host annual contemporary art in the future.
Kuenga Lhendup, the director of Wangduechholing Palace Museum and Cultural Center said, “Most of our galleries are permanent, dedicated to the monarchical history of Bhutan. But we have two temporary galleries for collaborations with local and international artists. This exhibition is the first of its kind, and we plan to host such collaborations every year.”
The Center and Bhutan Echoes jointly organized the exhibition.
For the host and the artist, the exhibition is more than a display of art. It is a gathering to share stories, inspire people and foster connections, while encouraging participation from both local and international artists.
Namgay Wangchuk
Edited by Sangay Chezom
