在當代藝術的舞台上，承襲喜馬拉雅傳統文化的藝術家們正以其蓬勃的創造力重新定義世界的想像，藝術家Tsherin Sherpa、Asha Kama、Tenzin Gyurmey Dorjee及Tintin Pema Tshering以藝術詮釋歷史、將創作作為對當下與未來的深刻回應。

本次展覽《Reimagine: Himalayan Echoes》延續了2024年魯賓美術館20週年大展《Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now》的策展理念，著眼於文化的傳承與再造，探索傳統與現代之間的對話。展覽呈現了兩代藝術家間的深刻互動與影響，當代喜馬拉雅藝術的代表人物 Tsherin Sherpa 與 Asha Kama作為傳承的起點，不僅延續了傳統符號的生命力，豐富了當代喜馬拉雅藝術的內涵，將喜馬拉雅的多元文化與哲學思想帶向了國際舞台，也啟發了年輕一代藝術家如Tenzin Gyurmey Dorjee與Tintin Pema Tshering，讓喜馬拉雅當代藝術在全球化語境中煥發新生。

吹響第一聲「喜馬拉雅當代藝術風潮」號角的 Tsherin Sherpa 與 Asha Kama對此貢獻良多、影響深遠：兩位藝術家創作力量的背後，是一個共同的使命——開啟喜馬拉雅當代藝術的無限可能；兩位藝術家的影響不僅侷限於個人創作，而是對整個地區藝術家們的啟發。Tsherin Sherpa 曾代表尼泊爾參加2022年威尼斯雙年展個人展出項目，是當前最受矚目的喜馬拉雅當代藝術家，透過他的藝術呈現，讓全球得以重新認識這些古老文化的新面貌，其高度的成就不僅對鼓舞了其他喜馬拉雅地區的藝術家，其作品更被超過20家國際重要美術館收藏。被譽為「不丹當代藝術之父」的Asha Kama則以其獨特的視覺風格和創新手法，將傳統文化藝術以當代的手法呈現，他的創作強調創新與變革，並在作品中融合了對生命深刻的體悟，除了致力於藝術的創作外，Asha Kama 更致力於當代藝術概念的傳遞與教育，身為「不丹當代藝術火炬手」的他，影響了每一個有志於創作的不丹青年藝術家，更將不丹當代藝術的帶往世界的視野中。

身為第二代喜馬拉雅當代藝術家：Tintin Pema Tshering 曾代表不丹參與佛羅倫斯雙年展、孟加拉亞洲藝術雙年展與福岡三年展等國際重要展會，Tintin認為所謂的「喜馬拉雅當代藝術」並非僅是地域的標籤，而是一種深植於文化上的情感與智慧的表達。Tintin自1998年起，便跟隨Asha Kama學習藝術，Asha是他創作上的啟蒙與指導，更是引領他深入理解「藝術家之心」的精神導師；在Asha的教導下，他深知身為藝術家必須擁有愛與慈悲，對世界充滿好奇，並且從生活中的每一個細節中發現創作的靈感，透過創作與世界分享其藝術價值。

Tenzin Gyurmey擅長將宏大的全球性議題化為可以感知的日常經驗，他認為喜馬拉雅當代藝術是一種對多元文化、宗教信仰與生活方式的禮讚，其作品深刻反映了對文化身份與歸屬感的思考。Gyurmey的創作之路深受Tsherin Sherpa 的啟發與影響，Tsherin透過多年不間斷的指導，在Gyurmey為了藝術創作掙扎的時刻，以正向積極的態度其將拉回正途，啟發了Gyurmey 在面對具挑戰性或複雜的主題中也能探索快樂和幽默，將喜馬拉雅地區的共同經歷與自己身為移民者的身份交織，創造出極具個人情感的風格，而這樣的轉變也讓Gyurmey 於2024年獲得首屆魯賓美術館喜馬拉雅藝術大獎，證明其藝術語言深具前瞻性。

此次參展的四位藝術家，皆曾參與2024年魯賓美術館20週年大展《Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now》；透過深度梳理兩代藝術家之間的互動與傳承，丹之寶於2024年年末策劃《Reimagine: Himalayan Echoes》，以亞洲視角呼應魯賓美術館的策展理念與方向，藉由喜馬拉雅的當代藝術家們憑藉著其獨特的藝術視角，深入探索精神與物質的邊界，並將傳統文化與當代藝術巧妙融合，在延續歷史與文化脈絡的同時，以創新的語彙開拓未來的可能性，彰顯喜馬拉雅當代藝術的多元面貌與無窮潛力。

On the contemporary art stage, artists inheriting the traditional culture of the Himalayas are redefining global imagination with their vibrant creativity. Tsherin Sherpa, Asha Kama, Tenzin Gyurmey Dorjee, and Tintin Pema Tshering interpret history through their art, offering profound responses to both the present and the future.

The exhibition “Reimagine: Himalayan Echoes” builds on the curatorial vision of the Rubin Museum’s 2024 20th-anniversary show, Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now. It explores cultural transmission and reinvention, highlighting the dialogue between tradition and modernity. The exhibition focuses on the deep interactions between two generations of artists, starting with contemporary pioneers Tsherin Sherpa and Asha Kama. These artists preserve traditional symbols while introducing the diverse cultures and philosophies of the Himalayas to a global audience. Their work has inspired younger artists, including Tenzin Gyurmey Dorjee and Tintin Pema Tshering, helping to revitalize Himalayan contemporary art within a global context.

Tsherin Sherpa and Asha Kama, pioneers of the “contemporary Himalayan art wave,” have made significant contributions. Their mission is to unlock the infinite possibilities of contemporary Himalayan art, inspiring artists across the region. Tsherin Sherpa, who represented Nepal at the 2022 Venice Biennale, has presented a fresh perspective on ancient Himalayan cultures. His works are now in over 20 major international museums. Asha Kama, known as the “father of contemporary Bhutanese art,” reinvents traditional cultural art through a unique visual style and innovative techniques. His work emphasizes transformation and profound reflections on life. Asha Kama has also dedicated himself to contemporary art education, influencing Bhutanese artists and bringing Bhutanese art to the global stage.

Second-generation artist Tintin Pema Tshering has represented Bhutan at major international exhibitions, including the Florence Biennale, Dhaka Asian Art Biennale, and Fukuoka Triennale. Tintin views “contemporary Himalayan art” as more than a regional label—it is an emotional and intellectual expression rooted in cultural wisdom. Since 1998, he has trained with Asha Kama, who has guided him to a deeper understanding of the “heart of the artist.” Asha’s mentorship taught Tintin that an artist must possess love, compassion, curiosity, and the ability to find inspiration in the smallest details of life. Tenzin Gyurmey Dorjee excels in transforming global issues into relatable, everyday experiences. He sees contemporary Himalayan art as a celebration of diverse cultures, religions, and lifestyles, with his work deeply reflecting on cultural identity and belonging. His journey has been shaped by Tsherin Sherpa’s guidance. Tsherin’s support helped Gyurmey rediscover his artistic path during moments of struggle, teaching him to find joy and humor even in complex themes. His work blends shared Himalayan experiences with his identity as an immigrant, creating a deeply personal and emotional style. This evolution led to Gyurmey winning the inaugural Rubin Museum Himalayan Art Prize in 2024, affirming his forward-thinking artistic language.

The four artists featured in this exhibition all participated in the Rubin Museum’s 20th-anniversary show, Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now. By examining the exchanges between these two generations, Reimagine: Himalayan Echoes, curated by Tansbao at the end of 2024, aligns with the Rubin Museum’s curatorial vision from an Asian perspective. The exhibition explores the boundaries between spirit and matter, blending traditional culture with contemporary art. It continues the historical and cultural narrative while opening new possibilities for the future, showcasing the diverse and limitless potential of contemporary Himalayan art.