[Bcma-l] Important exhibition of contemporary Tibetan Art at the AGSO

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2007*

**

*CONTACT:

Paul Crawford, Director/Curator
Art Gallery of the South Okanagan
199 Marina Way, Penticton, B.C. V2A 1H3
Phone number: (250) 493-2928 ~ Fax: (250) 493-3992 ~ E-mail: 
agso_curator@shawbiz.ca <mailto:agso_curator@shawbiz.ca> ~ Web: 
**www.galleries.bc.ca/agso* <http://www.galleries.bc.ca/agso>

*The Art Gallery of the South Okanagan is proud to present The 
Illustrated Memories of Choegyl Rinpoche the 8^th of Dru-gu, Tibet: 
**Tibetan Lama and Artist in Exile, “A Drukpa Kargyu Lineage Master” 
from **July 21 – September 16, 2007*

* *

*(Penticton, British Columbia) - This rare and unique exhibition traces 
the relationship between a Canadian collector and a Tibetan Lama in 
exile over a period of twenty years. The resulting collection of 
paintings documents Choegyl Rinpoche’s life growing up in Tibet, during 
its occupation, his flight into exile and the re-establishment of their 
community in India. The collection is the combined result H.E James 
George, then Canadian High Commissioner to India, his late wife Carol 
George, late Maurice Nichols and his friend Vivian Hunter who were among 
the first Canadians to reach out and support the Tibetan Community of 
Tashi Jong. They hosted gallery shows in Ontario to raise money for many 
projects from supporting artists and art activities and built the first 
small Maple Leaf Children’s School. In exchange for their devotion and 
care many cards, letters and paintings were given to them in thanks over 
their long relationship. In 2006, Vivian Hunter attended a lecture by 
Leah Carnahan at a lecture in Toronto and presented her with this 
impressive archive of work. *

* *

*Born in Nagchen, Tibet in 1946, Choegyal Rinpoche was enthroned at the 
age of four at the Dru-gu Monastery in Tibet. Choegyal Rinpoche is the 
8th incarnation of Drukpa Choegyal Gyamtso from Dru-gu Lhadrak in Kham 
province. He spent his childhood absorbed in art, spiritual training and 
meditation practice. Choegyal Rinpoche’s root guru and dharma teacher, 
H.E. Khamtul Rinpoche, was an accomplished artist; his lineage has a 
special connection with promoting the arts. The 8th Khamtul Rinpoche and 
his group left Tibet in 1958 and founded the Tashi Jong community in 
Northern, India. Currently, the 9th Khamtul Rinpoche, H.E. Dorzong 
Rinpoche, Dru-gu Choegyal Rinpoche, the monks and lay families of Tashi 
Jong are working very hard to help preserve and promote Tibetan Buddhist 
art, culture and religion. *

* *

*Today Choegyal Rinpoche is regarded as one of the most significant 
Tibetan artists of our time. In his early days in India, Choegyal 
Rinpoche painted his memories of his life in Tibet, and dedicated many 
paintings to the monasteries and communities destroyed during the 
Cultural Revolution. In his own words he describes his ‘Espontaneous’ 
style; “Creating paintings that flow with a lively energy that embodies 
my vision for Tibetan artistic heritage: not as archived relics, but as 
a vibrant vital essence for future generations.” He is also known for 
his calligraphy which represents both his knowledge of traditional art 
and impressionistic strokes of the images, syllables and symbols of 
Buddhism. His paintings are found in many private collections as he has 
been exhibiting his paintings internationally for over 30 years.*

* *

*Choegyal Rinpoche’s style in this collection ranges from free flowing 
brush strokes combined with folk art ink sketches to impressionistic 
images of the his spiritual visions. Choegyal Rinpoche paints how he 
feels in the moment; “Each painting is a unique experience arising from 
visions, feelings, sensations and from the immediate sparkling clarity 
of mind. As such, painting is a language I speak and a world I explore 
within myself in every possible spontaneous experience.” Nearly each 
piece of art is accompanied by rich narratives written by Choegyal 
Rinpoche describing in detail the events and landscapes of his past. *

* *

*The artist remembers early moments of being wrapped in his father’s 
coat. Even before being enthroned at the age of four years as a 
spiritual leader in Dru-gu Monastery in Tibet. Traveling the countryside 
Choegyal Rinpoche visited nomadic families; he painted pastoral scenes 
of yaks, sheep, horses and life in Kham, Tibet. *

* *

*From a birds eye view he vividly remembers towns and monasteries as 
they were before they were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. 
Escaping the Red Chinese army into Tibet around 1958-59, he depicts the 
fearful perils of fleeing Tibet with his heart aching as he had to leave 
his homeland. *

* *

*Choegyal takes us to the temporary Tibetan settlements in Dalhousie and 
Kalimpong; here he has many happy memories reuniting with his teachers 
Khamtul Rinpoche and Dorzong Rinpoche. They are aware of the need to 
preserve the precious religious, cultural and art traditions of Tibetan 
Buddhism. Preserving their culture and performing Lama Dances and 
documenting their activities through his art they were able to rise the 
much needed funding to reestablish their own community. *

* *

*His group eventually found a good location to settle near Palampur in 
Himachel Pradesh, he paints the religious ceremonies of naming the land 
Tashi Jong or Happy Valley. Soon the construction of a new life begins 
as he depicts raising the first Stupa and the process of rebuilding 
Khampagar Monastery. Finally, his paintings include lighthearted images 
of his community dancing, playing, paper making, picking tea and 
adjusting to the new home in India.*

* *

*Leah Carnahan became close to the Tibetan community during a 10 year 
stay in India where she studied philosophy and meditation. In Dharamsala 
she met artists Sarika Singh and Lobsang Choegyal the founders of 
Thangde Gatsal Studio and Art School. Now a director for Thangde Gatsal, 
Leah enjoys promoting the artists, by coordinating painting exhibits and 
presenting educational slide shows internationally. This initiative 
helps to raise awareness of endangered Tibetan art and the spiritual 
teachings it contains. Currently, she is fundraising to establish a 
hostel for the Tibetan art students who are training to become master 
thangka painters. For more information on Leah and her activities please 
visit: _www.tibetanpaintings.com_ and for more info on Choegyal Rinpoche 
please go to: www.choegyalrinpoche.org <http://www.choegyalrinpoche.org>*

*For more information on this event or the the gallery program please 
contact the Art Gallery of the South Okanagan at (250) 493-2928 or by 
e-mail at: agso_curator@shawbiz.ca <mailto:agso_curator@shawbiz.ca> For 
more information on the life and art of Choegyal Rinpoche please go to: 
www.choegyalrinpoche.org <http://www.mysticalartsoftibet.org> *

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