BAMPFA Exhibit Review by Heather Schlesinger

(sign on the façade of the museum)

(myself in front of the museum)

On April 20, 2019 I found myself in Berkeley, CA yet again, this time visiting The UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive otherwise known as BAMPFA.  The building itself looks very modern.  As you walk in, there is a nice sense of space as the ceilings are high and the building allows for a great deal of natural light which serves the art well.  

(exhibit title)

In the museum there was an incredibly interesting and thought provoking exhibition called Boundless: Contemporary Tibetan Artists at Home and Abroad.  The works displayed are by internationally known Tibetan artists. Along with these contemporary Tibetan works there are historical sculptures and artifacts displayed.  I found this to be an exciting contrast as there is obvious traditional similarities among the old and the new, yet the contemporary works have modern qualities and symbolism intertwined with traditional figures.  

(myself in front of the exhibit)

(The White Proposal, Tenzing Rigdol, 2014, Mixed media on Canvas)

The White Proposal, by Tenzing Rigdol is an extremely unique representation of the Buddha.  Tibetan prayers in ink are on the outside of the Buddha representing the artist’s family as they once manufactured ink for printing scriptures. Chinese text is in white inside of the the Buddha which is a proposal for self-governance written by the Tibetan Government to be considered by the Chinese government.  This piece has layers of meaning.  Rigdol incorporates political aspects with the traditional Buddha form. 

(myself viewing The White Proposal)

(Wrathful Dance, Tenzing Rigdol, 2014, Mixed media on canvas)

Wrathful Dance is another mixed media work by Tenzing Rigdol. This image displays the hardships that the Tibetan community is currently facing.  The flames represent self-immolation protests that have risen in numbers since 2009.  The personal aspect in this piece is the map of Denver, Colorado in the Buddha’s halo. This is where the artist immigrated and earned his studio art degree.  The flames are representing terror and the map representing perhaps the place that saved him.  This is a powerful contrast, bringing a great deal of personal emotion in the work.

Rigdol has created art that truly makes the viewer think about what is going on in the Tibetan community.  The artist’s work is demonstrating the displacement of Tibetan’s and the sacrifices they are making in order to bring international attention to their struggles as they are living under Chinese rule.  

(Ahimsa, Chungpo Tsering, 2016, Charcoal and gold leaf on paper)

Another piece that is especially moving is Ahimsa (nonviolent protest) by Chungpo Tsering.  This piece represents self-immolation.  There is a contrast present with the butterfly’s and meditation pose mixed with the violence that is signified with the gas can and headless figure.  This piece allowed me to feel the determination that is present in the Tibetan community. 

(myself viewing Ahimsa)

(Gold Child/Black Clouds, Tsherin Sherpa, 2013, White and yellow gold leaf, acrylic, alcohol ink, glitter on linen)

The piece, Gold Child/Black Clouds, by Tsherin Sherpa is another example of the powerful artwork present in this exhibition.  There is a sadness in the figure's eyes.  Again, beauty is mixed with anguish as Sherpa represents this child full of life with smoke all around and charred skin on his face.  This work speaks to what is going on within a child's life who is dealing with the conditions in which the Tibetan' s live.  

All of the works in this exhibit contain several layers of symbolic meaning.  The artists are balancing their cultural traditions and the contemporary issues they are currently facing while maintaining an immense amount of exquisiteness in their work.  The fact that these beautiful pieces are juxtaposed with deeper, political, and quite sad symbolism is what moved me the most.  Is the purpose of these works to raise awareness?  It’s really up to us as the viewers to do something or do nothing.  As an artist, if I were to create political art that is raising awareness on current social issues I wouldn’t want to just let people know about what’s going on.  I would want and hope for change, and for people to feel my passion for the subject.  I highly recommend this exhibit and then possibly taking a stance on these issues being raised.  Perhaps being an artist is just the position of influence and the position of power is in the actions of the viewer.