Whispered Wisdom

Curators Arjun Sawhney and Tania Lefebvre in collaboration with unrivalled master Buddhist artist, Zeiko, are exhibiting Whispered Wisdom, a riveting showcase of Bhutanese Thangka artwork that pays homage to the leading female deity of Buddhism, as much as it focuses on Buddha himself. The exhibition will be spread over a period of four days, at Bikaner House, New Delhi from 14th April, to 17th April, 2023

The repertoire of artwork on display span the artists’ most recent creations, each one bearing Bhutanese Thangka in their true forms, in formats that the artist has explored over his extensive journey that involved ten years of practice and learning in an effort to present homage to the leading female deity of Buddhism. Tārā is a tantric meditation deity it is believed to originate as a form of the goddess Durga who today, is worshipped both in Buddhism and in Shaktism as one of the ten Mahavidyas. Thangkas serve as important teaching tools, visually unfolding the life of the Buddha, and other deities and bodhisattvas.  The art of Bhutanese Thangkas exemplifies legends, stories and deities from Mahayana Buddhism. 

The canvases exhibited are created under the strict guidelines of Buddhist scriptures as the work encompasses symbolism and allusion, and are explicitly religious. Each Thangka is created with various elements mixed meticulously and involves earthly pigments and minerals such as 24 karat gold and other natural colours. 

Whispered Wisdom explores the teachings and rituals of a faith followed unwaveringly by a country almost in its entirety, a culture based on the guidance of spiritual learnings, passed down over aeons, exploring the wisdom that has breathed life into an art form. This show is an examination of the intersection of fine art and deep spiritual faith; the paintings serve as a striking centerpiece that can be appreciated by all admirers of Asian art.
 

Date 17-04-2023