Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Nov. 2: Khadhok, a Tibetan Artist’s Collective, unveiled its second annual group exhibition titled “UNSETTLED,” at Buddha’s Abode in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, showcasing the dynamic works of 20 Tibetan exile artists from across the globe.
This exhibition, running from November 1 to 16 with free entry, brings together artists from countries as diverse as Nepal, Singapore, Canada, and India, each contributing a unique perspective on Tibetan identity, displacement, and the human journey of belonging. The exhibition also carefully balances perspectives by featuring a range of voices within the Tibetan exile community— from senior artists to young and emerging talents.
Speaking to Phayul, Tashi Nyima, Co-founder of Khadhok said this year’s exhibitor theme resonates with each artist’s experience as a Tibetan in exile or diaspora, exploring a profound sense of displacement and the longing for a place of true belonging. He told Phayul that this theme is particularly powerful for Tibetans who live in “settlements”—communities established to provide stability for those displaced from their homeland. While these settlements offer physical permanence, they often fail to satisfy the deeper need for identity and mental belonging.
Tashi Nyima, one of the artists, expressed that the exhibition title speaks to the Tibetan experience of exile, “As Tibetans in exile, we live in settlements that offer physical stability but lack true permanence in terms of identity and mental belonging. Our sense of home remains unsettled.” This sense of tension between physical and mental settlement permeates the artworks on display, inviting audiences to engage with the artists’ inner journeys.
Lea Taake, a long-time member of Khadhok since its inception, shared insights into the vision behind this year’s exhibition, UNSETTLED. “For this year, we knew we wanted a group exhibition focused on contemporary Tibetan art. Initially, our idea was to showcase the diversity of Tibetan contemporary art—the full spectrum of colours and styles we have now,” she explained. “As we kept exploring, it became clear that, despite being spread across different countries, each artist’s Tibetan roots connected them. We realised we needed a theme that would unite these diverse backgrounds and experiences.”
Lea revealed that the theme wasn’t assigned to the artists beforehand; instead, it emerged naturally. “When we looked at all the pieces, we saw that they spoke to the theme of being unsettled. This wasn’t only a Tibetan theme but a universal one. We have artists who are half-Filipino, half-Tibetan, or half-Singaporean, half-Tibetan, yet they all relate to this idea on a personal and cultural level. Unsettled doesn’t just address Tibetan issues; it creates a bridge for others who experience a sense of being ‘in-between’—a state of navigating different languages, countries, and identities.”
She continued, “This theme resonates with everyone, not just Tibetans. It asks questions we all face: when are we truly settled, and what does it mean to belong? Art, too, rarely comes from a settled mind—it emerges from a place where something is always happening, where there’s tension and growth. That was the heart of UNSETTLED,” she concluded.
Several standout pieces in the exhibition showcased the artistic interpretations of this year’s theme. Sherab, an artist from Dolpo, Nepal, created a piece titled Phayul Lhayul, centered on the Potala Palace. Sherab explained that for him, the Potala represents a lack of freedom, overshadowed by the Chinese national flag that now flies over it. He infused the background of his painting with subtle shades and strokes, symbolising freedom, and described his inspiration as a place where “birds fly freely and people experience true happiness, running through gusts of wind.” His art captures a deep-seated longing for an unrestricted existence—a vision of what Tibet could be in a world where Tibetans are free.
The collective was formed in August 2023, and has made it its mission to create a supportive platform for Tibetan artists, providing both established and emerging voices with a venue to express the nuances of the Tibetan experience.
