Offering tribute to the 70th Birthday of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, VAST Bhutan opened their biggest exhibition in the capital. Titled “108 Offerings” the exhibition showcases 108 artworks from over 70 artists. These artworks are prayers, wishes and offerings to the Great Fourth.
The exhibition opened almost a week ago with Vairochana Rinpoche Ngawang Jigme Jigten Wangchuck gracing the opening.
The artworks consist of portraits of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and symbolic representation of His Majesty’s legacy, painted and crafted with each artist’s unique technique.
Among the paintings is that of eight chortens, which represent the timeless Buddhist symbolism of guidance, compassion and protection that His Majesty offered to the nation.
Artist Tshewang Tenzin said,“The reason for 108 is that it represents the Buddha’s deed. In the Pagsam Thrueshing or the Wish Fulfilling Vile, the generous, meritorious and enlightened deeds of the Buddha are 108 in numbers. These are all auspicious. So, all the artists have come together to pay tribute to the 70th Birthday of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.”
And it took weeks of handwork and creativity for the artists to develop their artworks, expressing their admiration and gratitude to His Majesty through their pieces.
Artist Pema Yangdon said, “I wouldn’t say this is a normal type of painting. It’s more like I used this material called Lino where I carved out a Mentsimeto on it. And the Mentsimeto itself is a mandala offering. So, when I was stamping on the canvas, I didn’t want it to be a simple portrait, but I wanted it to have a deeper meaning as an offering to His Majesty for his long life and for the service that he has given to the nation.”
Artist Ugyen Wangchuk said, “In this painting, I deviated from the normal representation of a pregnancy in the sleeping position and reimagined it in a meditative pose. In addition, I drew the Four Friends, representing the four pillars of the GNH philosophy.”
Organised by VAST Bhutan, the exhibition is supported by the Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property, under their Economic Stimulus Programme. It will remain open to public for free until the end of this month, except for Mondays.
The exhibition is not only a display of artworks but an expression of the deep love and devotion the artists have for the enduring legacy of the Great Fourth.
Singye Dema
Edited by Kipchu
