In Gangtok, artists from Bhutan, Nepal, and India are participating in an international art exhibition that demonstrates how cultural interaction can act as a bridge between communities throughout the Himalayan region. From May 29 to May 30, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology will present the exhibition Riwo: Identity and Continuity, which showcases a wide range of artists, collectives, and cultural practitioners from Bhutan, Nepal, and Sikkim. Through artistic expression and reflection on the region’s common past, the program aims to promote communication and cooperation.
At the heart of the exhibition is an exploration of the historical and cultural links that have connected Himalayan societies for generations. Organizers said Riwo draws attention to the networks of trade, migration and spiritual exchange that once flourished across the mountains, shaping a common cultural landscape that transcends modern political boundaries. Artists participating in the exhibition include members of Bhutan’s Yeti Teeth Art collective—Selden W. Dorji, Galek Yangzom and Marcos—alongside Nepalese artists Sandesh Gurung and Manoj Rai. Sikkim-based collectives and artist’s Studio Zeyma, Artworkshop, Tsal and Tshering are also showcasing their work.
A variety of modern artworks, such as paintings, mixed-media pieces, and immersive installations, are on display. Artists address issues including identity, ecology, migration, spirituality, and cultural continuity in these pieces. Folklore, Buddhist philosophy, ritual customs, and the shifting reality of urban life are further sources of inspiration for a number of pieces. With assistance from curators, volunteers, and cultural practitioners around the area, Yeti Teeth Art and Tsal collaborated to create Riwo. The outreach and curatorial approach of the exhibition were shaped by contributions from assistant curator Sunita and Ayushi Nirola.
The exhibition will travel to Bhutan’s Royal Textile Museum and Nepal’s Patan Museum after its debut in Gangtok, further extending a regional cultural initiative that aims to promote artistic collaborations, interpersonal relationships, and a greater understanding of the shared cultural legacy of the Himalayas.