Video finds its way in Tibetan Art practice

Curated by Rachel Perera Weingeist, a new show at New York’s Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art explores the tension between an ancient culture's unbroken artistic tradition and the personality-driven world of contemporary art.

Largely drawn from The Shelley and Donald Rubin Private Collection, ‘Anonymous’ features over 50 works of painting, sculpture, installation, and video art by 27 artists living in Tibet and around the world. Many works will be on view to the public for
 the first time. The inclusion of work from artists from around the globe—Dharamsala, Kathmandu, Lhasa, New York City, Oakland, Thimphu, Zurich and the Australian Outback—provides for a range of perspectives.

Firmly established as well as emerging artists are featured, including Ang Sang, Benchung, Dedron, Gade, Jhamsang, Karma Phuntsok, Kesang Lamdark, Losang Gyatso, Marie-Dolma Chophel, Nortse, Palden Weinreb, Penba Wangdu, Phurba Namgay, Rabkar Wangchuk, Sherab Gyaltsen, Sodhon, Tanor, Tenzing Rigdol, Tsering Nyandak, Tsewang Tashi, Tsherin Sherpa, Tulku Jamyang, and anonymous contributors.

Video plays a pivotal role in the exhibition, giving viewers access to rarely seen expressions of Tibetan life and culture. A curatorial panel culled works from an extended international open call for video submissions from the Tibetan community. In addition to the contemporary display, a small selection of traditional thangka paintings will provide historical context.

The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at the State University of New York at New Paltz (the Dorsky), located at the geographic center of the SUNY New Paltz campus, is one of the largest museums in the SUNY system, with more than 9,000 square feet of exhibition space distributed over six galleries. The Dorsky's permanent collection comprises more than 5,000 works of art, with areas of focus that include American Art, with an emphasis on the Hudson Valley and Catskill Regions, 19th, 20th and 21st century photography and metals. A small but excellent "world collection" of art and artifacts dating back to ancient times and representing diverse cultures enhances the museum's exhibitions and educational programs.