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- Title
Contours of Identity.
- Authors
Dinwiddie, Donald
- Abstract
The article discusses the work of Tibetan artist Gonkar Gyatso preparing his exhibit for the 2009 Venice Biennale. Gyatso grew up in Chinese-dominated Tibet and began to learn about traditional and Western art in his studies at Central University for Nationalities in Beijing, China beginning in 1980. When Tibetan monasteries were allowed to reopen he was exposed to Tibetan identity and art. He witnessed monks being beaten for protesting. His Sweet Tea House artists' collective was disbanded under pressure to admit Han Chinese artists. He began painting the Buddha figure as a symbol of Tibetan heritage and as a spiritual exercise. He eventually settled in London, England and continues to represent the Buddha but in a more contemporary style evoking the changes he has experienced in life.
- Subjects
LONDON (England); ENGLAND; TIBET (China); BEIJING (China); CHINA; GYATSO, Gonkar, 1962-; BUDDHIST monks; MONASTERIES; BUDDHA (The concept); POLITICS in art; SPIRITUALITY in art
- Publication
ArtAsiaPacific, 2009, Issue 63, p132
- ISSN
1039-3625
- Publication type
Article