ART Senses of Sights, a solo exhibition by Dorji Wangchuk, is a Buddhist artist’s worship for the almighty, and his wonderment at the Buddhist cosmology.

The exhibition, currently open at the Alaya Gallery, where Voluntary Artist’s Studio of Thimphu (VAST-Bhutan) has been set up, also sports the theme of nature, which, however, is overshadowed by the religious motif.

Dorji Wangchuk is a volunteer artist and manager of VAST-Bhutan. He started painting 13 years ago. The 82 works of art at the exhibition, though personal in nature, are a combination of abstract, self-portraits, ink, acrylic, oil and water-colour paintings.

According to the artist, whose work is on solo exhibition for the first time, it took some courage to put up the exhibition. “Two years back, I wouldn’t have been confident enough, although I was interested in doing so,” he said. “The paintings were done over a period of time, and inspired by our culture and nature.”

One of the paintings, which stands out from the rest, is a gripping oil painting of Dorji Drolo. Modernity and tradition blend without clashing. While giving it a modern spin, the fury of the god, as depicted in traditional paintings, remains as potent as ever.

The rich dark blue colour brings out the intensity and ferocity of the divine wrath.

Thirteen of his paintings have already been sold. The art works on display cost anywhere between Nu 5,000 to Nu 75,000. The exhibition ends on October 15.

- By Rigzin Choden (Original Story in Kuensel K2 8th Oct 2011)

I have always thought that art, in all forms, has a unique ability to bridge cultural gaps that are not met through other forms of teaching and communicating. VAST’s watercolour outreach camp has confirmed my thoughts about the power of art and its ability to connect over language and cultural barriers.

The trip to Ura with VAST was my first real interaction with Bhutan, I had been here long enough to realize the friendly nature of the culture and the strong sense of community, but I had only spent a few days in the fast paced world of Thimphu. The rural village of Ura was completely different, many of the children had perhaps never had the opportunity to hold a paintbrush, but they painted beautifully and with a fresh and inspiring passion.

There is absolutely no way to sum up the personalities of the three Thai watercolour masters that lead the VAST outreach art camp. Our very first conversation during the long drive to Bumthang was about different cultures and animal noises. Dr. Suchart made all the Thai animals sound absolutely crazy and put all my American animal noises to shame. They were all so full of life and energy, taking pictures of everything we passed, singing Thai songs, and dancing every time we got out of the van. Dr. Sompote’s wife, Tip, who is not a watercolour artist herself, told me that she never knows what they are taking photos of until they paint from them.

After several stops for tea and a night in Trongsa we arrived in the afternoon on June 30th. Dr. Suchart kicked off the afternoon with a basic sketching lesson. He was so animated with the children, and it was not at all an act, just a true portrayal of his eccentric personality. He asked Asha Kama how to get the children’s attention and Asha told the children “Talo” which got a huge laugh when Dr. Suchart repeated the phrase. I later learned why this was such a joke each time Dr. Suchart used it, the phrase translates to something along the lines of “he wants you to look,” but Dr. Suchart took it more as a phrase meaning “look here.” No one bothered to correct him and the confusion just added to the comedy and friendly nature of the camp. Every time Dr. Suchart drew something or saw some nice student work he would exclaim “woooah” and through this animated voice and exaggerated gesticulations he could instantly created smiles across the room.
One of my favorite parts of the camp was hearing the children whisper to each other about their work, even if I could not understand them, there was something magical about the excitement that simple art lessons and a few paint sets could instill in a group of children of all ages.

The paints did not come out on the first day, but were introduced, in all their colourful wonder, by Dr. Sompote during a lesson that covered all shapes of watercolour and stressed the light motion in the nature of the medium. He painted gorgeous horses and flowers with what looked like simple flicks of the paintbrushes. For me, watercolour is a frustrating medium, it requires levels of confidence, talent, and observation that other types of paint do not request, but the children did not seem to face any of these frustrations. Their subjects were pure and felt genuinely inspired by their environment, their peers, and the watercolour masters.

As I walked around camp the students from Ura were scattered in their tents and on the hills around the school at all hours of the day discussing and painting their surroundings and their imagination. It was beautiful to sit on the hill behind the school getting water from the stream and painting with a group of children that I could not verbally communicate with, but with whom I felt a great sense of connection through art and creativity.

Since returning to Thimphu I have experienced a bit more of the VAST culture made up by a community of artists drinking tea, discussing their art, drawing each other, and contemplating creativity. I now realize that the watercolour camp was just an extension of the community that has been fostered in VAST for over a decade. Asha Kama has created a welcoming environment and outlet for artists not only in Thimphu, but across Bhutan. He has created this environment in a very natural manner, through creative inspiration, the cultivation of talent, and the nurturing of artists from stick figures to masterpieces.

Being an artist is all about the mindset and I think the majority of this artistic mindset is created by the community in which an artist’s creativity and talent are fostered. Ura, because of it’s rural population, beautiful scenery, and eager children, offered a perfect community in which Asha Kama, the Thai masters, and all the volunteers of VAST were able to go beyond teaching techniques and colour choice; they were able to inspire a creative atmosphere within the school and within each individual child that participated.

Sporting a pair of brown trousers, a grey shirt and a matching grey pleat jacket over it, Karma Wangdi, popularly known as Asha Kama, sits on the balcony of the VAST building, sunning himself. His eyes have a gentle glow and his voice has a softness to it that immediately connects to those around him.

An artist to the core, 42 years old Asha Kama has been a pioneer of youth related activities engaging them in community building activities while stimulating their creative and leadership instincts, and inspiring them to achieve their potential.

Asha Kama was born in Dagana but spent his childhood in Punakha where his parents had settled along with him and his four elder sisters. He had to take up his share of family responsibilities such as ploughing the fields and collecting firewood.

But what he remembers most about his childhood is his father teaching him to use his hands to create things. According to Asha Kama, his father was skilled artisan who used to make the best arrows in the village. He would sometimes barter the arrows with young men for their labour. He also has vivid memories of his family migrating between upper and lower Punakha according to the seasons.

“Those were good times” he reminisces.
When he was nine years old, Asha Kama joined the erstwhile Thimphu Public School as boarder and he has some fun memories of his school years. He was never academically inclined, and he chuckles when he recalls the time he scored a zero in maths.

But the silver lining to the cloud was the presence of an art teacher in the school who was to play a major role in his life. Discovering Asha Kama’s skill with the paint brush, this Bengali teacher started to give him regular training and guidance.

By the time he reached class 8, he was 18 years old, and he flunked the final exams. The school principal gave him the option of either continuing in the school or dropping out. He opted for the latter because by then he had already decided to become either an artist or an architect. He bid farewell to school, but not without a letter of recommendation from the school about the artistic abilities.

Subsequently, he was selected by the government to study at an art school in India, but he did not met the required academic qualification. As a result he was enrolled in the Fine Arts Center in Thimphu where he learnt thangka painting, embroidery, wood turning, clay sculpting and basket weaving. He stayed at the center for ten long years later on working as a product designer.

After his stint there, he underwent a printing and graphic arts course in India. On his return he joined the Handicrafts Development Center where they made items like greeting cards and wall hangers and did screen painting.

Later on, Asha Kama was transferred to the Development Support Communication Division (DSCD) under the information Department as a graphic artist. Here he helped in designing teaching aids like slides, audio-visual productions and graphic illustrations.

Then came the highlight of his career. He was sent to purse a degree in design in the United Kingdom where stayed for three years. After his return, he continued to work for the DSCD for two more years until it was dissolved.

For the next two years, he free-lanced doing some work for the World Wildlife Funds, and UNICEF designing teaching aids arranging exhibitions.

And then finally came his ultimate calling – he with three other friends, formed the now famous VAST (Voluntary Artists’ Studio, Thimphu). It started as an initiative to encourage children who were interested in art, and the support to pursue their interest.

“I thought it was time to give back to society – especially the lost children,” says Asha Kama. “We embarked on an endeavor to design activities that involved children in understanding nature and culture, made them more responsible and connected them to youth related issue.”

But it was not without problems. Asha Kama said though there were lots of innovative ideas and concepts in place, lack of resources was and still continues to be a major constraint.

He feels that after all he has been through, he has now come to point where he has to take “some serious decision.”

“As an artist, you have to create works of art, and I am becoming more of a social activist than an artist,” he ruminates,” I need to strike a balance because I am not doing justice to my art.”
He says he is most happy when he rolls up his sleeves and starts working on a canvas. He knew he was good with his hands and had thus always wanted to become an artist.

“My friends tried to dissuade me because at that time with the qualification I had, I could have got a good post in the civil service, but my father told me that I did not have to listen to anybody.”

His inspiration in life has been his parents and other family members who taught him the value of being a good human being.
“My cousin brother, whom I idolized, was a perfect human being,” he remembers.

Asked if he has any regrets in life, he says he has none except that he misses his parents terribly and wishes they were still alive.

In his work, he is inspired by texture in nature, buildings and temples to which he adds a touch of philosophy. “My art comprises emotional movements such as when I paint the wind horse or portray dancing,” he says. He tries to avoid the brush and uses his hands when he wants to give full vent to his creativity. Having used the brush as a thangka painter had restricted him since it was more concerned with technicalities.

He believes that thangka painting is a form of meditation and prayer which should be under-taken only by those who are pure and prepared. Otherwise it gives the painter a feeling of guilt.

Asha Kama feels that there is a connection between spirituality and art. According to him, one can be spiritual without being religious. Painting, he says, not only helps him remain calm but also to understand himself.

His wish at present is to create at least ten paintings which he will want to keep for himself.

Apart from painting, Asha Kama also loves collecting hats, knives and books. Indeed, he is an avid reader who loves Italo Calvino and R. K. Narayan. He also listens to traditional music as well as to pop and rock bands such as the Beatles, Elvis Presley, the Eagles, and also to jazz and blues.

His biggest strength, he says, is his trust in people which is also his biggest weakness apart from the fact that he takes things too easy.

But all said and done, his crusade for the youth is what keeps him going. “It is everybody’s responsibility to guide the youth,” he says, “We need to create space for the young people because we can’t rely on the old system of education.”

Asha Kama has a long list of achievement but what makes him really proud is that fact that he managed to stick to what he wanted to be and do.

Asha Kama has participated in many international art exhibitions and hopes to showcase the works of upcoming Bhutanese artists at the international level.

More about Asha

- BY PEKY SAMAL (Original story in The Journalist 19th Dec 2010)

Later we got a bigger studio. The bigger place was so much better as we had freedom to have our own painting area. We had completed a lot of successful projects in that studio. It was the achievements we had that broadcasted our name across Bhutan and other countries. Since most of the members were students back then, we really used to enjoy our Saturday cooking class where Asha made the most delicious dishes. It was so much fun cooking artistic food. The best part was that nobody complained and the food was always superb.

But then the big studio was not ‘big’ enough for our ‘big and ever growing’ family so we shifted in the attic. Our attic studio used to be a residential place which had a few number of families living in before we moved in. We made the shack into a beautiful studio. Most of us used to bunk school to help in building the studio. We sweated for the studio so the attic studio holds dear to the hearts of all the members who were involved in shaping it. The attic was a place we could call our own. We have lots of memories with the attic…some are good, some bad and some sad.

Like any organisation, we also had our share of ups and downs. We achieved more than we hoped for but on the way we also lost our families. “Some of us grew up, got employed, got married and got ‘bigger responsibilities’ so our contribution to VAST decreased with time. Some of us became independent with art and totally left VAST to venture on our own. Some of us despite wanting to give the maximum to VAST had to go…” Here I am talking about Sir Alan and Tsip whom we lost. They were the true members of VAST. We have lots of treasurable memories from the attic studio, it was in the attic studio that we received further recognition. We made the impossible possible. I remember the giant Dungkar (conch) we made for the 2008 Centenary and Coronation Celebrations. Everyone (including top officials) thought it was impossible but then again…we proved them wrong!

Despite the difficulties and lack of fund, we always always managed to stick together and do well. Even though most of the things were done in the last minute, we always achieved the best. The ‘last minute’ became one of our trademarks and the ‘Spirit of VAST’ our energy.

With this new studio, I feel the wave of new currents of success. I feel that VAST will achieve more and become the centre for the contemporary art in Bhutan. I feel a lot of  good things for the new era that we are beginning with this new studio. There is no limit except the limitations of our own! “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

Five years ago, when he got on a Gary Fisher mountain bike for the first time at Kuenselphodrang in Thimphu, he fell. But he got up and tried again. With every fall, his passion to conquer got the better of him. Today, Kinga Wangchuk, 27, is an expert mountain biker and a tourist guide, leading biking groups to hotspots as far as Bumthang, 265 km from Thimphu.

In the absence of bike repair outlets in the country, his experience with bikes has taught him to repair his ride which he has mastered over the years.

He came to Thimphu six years ago after his dream of going to college didn’t realize after his high school. In the capital, he became a member of the Voluntary Artists’ Stuidio, Thimphu (VAST) in 2004 when his mentor, Asha Karma, introduced him to a tour company, Yu-Druk Tours and Treks, and became a tourist guide.

The proprietor of Yu-Druk Tours and Treks, Rinzin Ongdra, also the founder of Bhutan Mountain Biking Club (BMBC) who was trained in biking from Colorado Springs in the United States, introduced Kinga Wangchuk to the world of biking.

His maiden long trip on a bike was from Thimphu to Tsang Tse in Tsirang which he recalls as the “most cramp filled outing.” He said “I finished a basket full of fruits and three bowls of rice after the trip.” The trip molded him in pursuing a career for which he has not lost love even after five years.

Kinga Wangchuk says a biker has to maintain a healthy diet and chocolates and water are an important part of his diet. He maintains his physique by playing basketball and football. He is busy during the tourist season in March, April and September. He earns about Nu 10,000 when he escorts tourists for about two weeks. The records of the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO) show that of the 23,480 tourists who visited Bhutan last year, 863 were trekkers and bikers. Most of the bikers are from Australia and America. Tourist bikers hire the bikes from tour operators in the country. Over the year, Kinga Wangchuk has learnt to perform aerial tricks on his Giant Trance bike when his adrenaline rush is high. He aims to become a freelance biker once his five year contract with the company is over and wants to train young bikers.

Described by friends as a talented singer, Kinga’s love for biking is unending. “Once the interests get into your muscles, you will realize how cool it is,” he says adding “It is environment friendly and everyone should try it out.”

VAST wishes everyone a very Happy New Year. VAST has achieved so much in 2009 but yet has many things to achieve in this new year. VAST wants to thank all the donors who have sponsored the events planned by VAST. VAST also wants to thank all the viewers of this site for keeping in touch with VAST. VAST will always remain thankful to its founding members and the art tutors especially Asha Kama for shaping VAST and for making Contemporary Art happen in a traditional country like Bhutan. We hope that we will receive the same support for this year and for all the years to come.  A HAPPY NEW YEAR…lets take Art to the next level people!

The new year card is by Chand.

He loves the brush and uses it to give life to the white canvass. Rajesh Gurung, 37, a co-founder of the Voluntary Artists’ Studio, Thimphu (VAST) is one of the popular artists in the country.

The self taught professional artist is a man of many talents. He is a singer, composer of songs, a good writer and an avid reader.

While his art has found its way to many countries, he has also produced an album named after his band, SARCHOPHEGUS, in 2006. It was the first Bhutanese rock album.

The ponytailed artist is a fan of the popular Japanese cartoon character, Naruto, and says that it inspires him to push harder in life. Rajesh, a science graduate from Sikkim, India, earlier worked in a tour company but gave it up to pursue his passion and become an artist.

He says not studying art formally has been an advantage as he is not restricted by any kind of limitation when he holds his brush.

He believes that creativity comes from within and says his paintings have evolved with time. Once he faces the canvass, he says he does not think about the result and puts his heart into it. He claims that commercial works does not please him.

He is always seen carrying a bag which never runs out of books.

He got his name after the popular Indian Bollywood actor Rajesh Khanna. His parents were a great fan of the actor and saw his radiance in their child and the least they could do was name their child after him.

Rajesh claims he is in love…with his recently bought Apple Mac Book Pro. The bachelor says the handy laptop has all the sexy features of a beautiful woman. A big fan of Hollywood actress Charlize Theron, Rajesh says that marriage is not in his priority list. He loves Persian and Japanese movies.

As a child, Rajesh was inspired to be an artist by his elder brother who is also a good artist. His works have been exhibited in countries including Philippines, Japan, Bangladesh and Laos.

>> More art by Rajesh

———-

This article appeared in Business Bhutan.

and so…this one is by the children.

asked the kiddos at VAST to write about their favorite part of the last two days we spent together. They accompanied me to the workshop on Sunday. We spent the day welding a bridge with the help of Dulal.

They watched metal and welding magic, explored the shops, swam in the river and took me for a grand adventure on the city bus.

They photographed the day beautifully.
Big booming smiles were had by all.

today we completed the next step in the boat making process. they’ve also provided beautiful photos of today to share with you all.

From some of the children to all of you:

Tadin Tshewang:
“On 6th December we the 10 people went to the work shop and my favorite part of that was when we travel in the bus because there was so many people. The bus went around the town. And the other one is in the workshop when the welding started and the colour of the fire was so beautiful!

Thandin Tshewang:
“On 6th December we 10 of the members of VAST volunteer to help make boat and bridge. On 10 o clock we came to VAST and 10:15 am we went to the workshop in the city bus.
We made a boat and bridge. We play and learn and ate lunch in the restaurant clock tower. Thank you!”

Drakpa:
“On 6th December we the 10 people went to the work shop. I went to river side and I swim it was interesting and it was my favourite part of the day.”

Jamyang Thinley:
“My favorite part of the day:
We went to near river and some of us cross the river. I was trapped in the middle of the river. I felt very cold. One of my friend help me to get out. One of my friend swim in the river. Then we came back and had lunch and we enjoy a lot.”

Lobzang Zangpo:
“We were lost and we walk finding the Sonam Automobile. We reach and Madam Xochi show the boat and gave some sunglass to watch welding! We make bridge. We played pushing car. We go to river and I cross the river and on friend swim in the river yesterday.”

Ugyen:
“We push car and we went to small river and we make bridge!!”

Kinley Gyem:
“On 6th we all went to workshop with Xochi and some of our friend to do welding. We learned a lot and we had fun. My favorite part of the day was when Xochi was welding and different colours of sparkles came out. Also when we reach at the clocktower we all were hungry that non one was talking. That day was an enjoyable day.”