Takpa Gallery is honored to present ‘Realms and Cemeteries’, the first solo exhibition of master thangka painter Urgen Dorje. The exhibition brings together works navigating the diverse realms and cemeteries within ‘Bhavchakra’, the Buddhist symbol of the wheel of life, wherein the artist inspects and reiterates the stories within these mythical spaces. Painted in a traditional Thangka style, the artist reimagines the realms into individual paintings in order to explore the layered symbols and dynamics within them.
Additionally, the show brings together three distinct works from the artist’s seven decades long career. Among them, two early works created by Urgen Dorje as a teenager showcase his early mastery of the art form. Furthermore, the themes indicate his lifelong inquiry into Buddhist philosophy and symbolism. The third work created about two decades ago presents a traditional Thangka painting transformed to look ancient by the artist. The work embodies his keen interest in the changing iconography and style of Thangka painting over various centuries. The show highlights Urgen Dorje’s commitment to innovation and experimentation in traditional Himalayan art in spite of his lifelong practice. The gallery invites viewers to celebrate the life and work of Urgen Dorje by revisiting traditional Thangka painting through the artist’s lens.
