VAST had the good fortune this year to partner with the Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative for our Annual Winter Camp. We worked together with 3 dynamic SJI members to merge art with the concept of GNH and zero waste living. Students learned to be conscious of their waste and work to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Along with basic art lessons (charcoal, portrait, pastels, landscape, etc.), students learned how to turn their waste into works of art. They were also exposed to a healthy lifestyle with all the vegetarian food at the camp grown organically by local farmers. Every morning began with a meditation exercise and the days were filled with activities that build coordination,teamwork, confidence and compassion.The camp came to a close on the 10th of January with an exhibition of students’ artwork and prize distribution.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to 4 master students from Kalabhavan, Shantiniketan  who volunteeresd as visisting instructors. We would also like to thank the young volunteer cooks who kept us well fed trough out the day.

Schedule of the “Art Today- A touch of Contemporary Art” Workshop

Day 1 (3 Jan 2012):

• Introduction
• Materials Required

Day 2 (4 Jan 2012):

• Group Activity
• Creativity
• Paint Application
• Mosaic

Day 3 (5 Jan 2012):

• Color Wheel
• Mixing Paints
• Hues, Tones and Shades
• Juxtaposition

Day 4 (6 Jan 2012):

• Textures- Visual and Real
• Finish
• Impasto

Day 5 (9 Jan 2012):

• Special Effects
• Transition

Day 6 (10 Jan 2012):

• Wrap up

* VAST would like to thank Joe Beddall for doing the art workshop and sharing his time with VAST.

The famous Benigna Chilla who is inspired by geometric patterns found in architecture, textiles, and nature is heading the training.

Come and join us in the celebrations of the joyous occasion at 5: 30 PM at VAST Contemporary Art Centre located at Alaya Gallery, Tarayana Complex today.

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)

Date: 20th September 2011
Time: 17:30 – 20:30