Tenzin Gyurmey Dorjee，一位來自印度喜馬偕爾邦 Kamrao村的印度裔藏族藝術家，其創作不僅延續了喜馬拉雅當代藝術的傳統，還透過個人敘事與全球議題的連結，展現了對文化、身份與普世價值的深刻探討。1987年出生的他，自六歲起便在父親Tulku Troegyal的指導下學習藏傳唐卡繪畫，並於2013年正式成為專職藝術家。過往的薰陶使Gyurmey的作品展現出喜馬拉雅文化從傳統延伸到當代的面貌，這一創作動能也讓他獲得了魯賓美術館（Rubin Museum of Art）創立的首屆「喜馬拉雅藝術大獎」（Rubin Museum Himalayan Art Prize），肯定了他連結喜馬拉雅藝術與當代生活中所做出的貢獻。如今，他的藝術工作室位於印度 德里，但作品的靈感根源深植於他作為藏族後裔的生命經歷與文化背景。在技法上，Gyurmey運用壓克力顏料與原麻布，通過層疊與刮除的手法，為作品帶來一種抹除與過渡的感覺。他的畫面常保留大量空白或負空間，營造出未完成的狀態，這既是他所歷經過的流離失所的象徵，也為觀眾留下想像與詮釋的空間。
而Tsherin Sherpa，喜馬拉雅當代藝術的重要推動者，對Gyurmey的創作歷程產生了深遠影響。Tsherin Sherpa的作品以當代性視角重新詮釋藏族與喜馬拉雅文化元素，並成功將其推向國際舞台。他的指導幫助Gyurmey從黑暗中發掘光明，並在困難中尋找希望。Tsherin面對議題的幽默與輕鬆態度不僅為Gyurmey帶來創作上的啟發，也讓他更加懂得在生活中保有喜悅與熱情。
Q: 可以請你談談跟Tsherin Sherpa討論創作的經歷嗎？他對你有怎樣的影響？
Gyurmey：在遇見Tsherin Sherpa之前，我對工作和生活都過於嚴肅，藝術是我唯一覺得自己真正擅長的領域，因此對它寄予極高的厚望。我將沉重的責任感加諸於創作中，這也明顯體現在我的作品表現上——它們顯得停滯不前，缺乏方向。我的創作也因家庭責任和財務困境而遭遇困難，形成困頓的惡性循環。正是在這樣艱難的時期，機緣巧合下，我遇到了Tsherin。Tsherin 徹底改變了我對藝術的看法。他鼓勵我要在創作的過程發掘純粹的快樂，告訴我要勇敢表達自己的觀點，最重要的是要忠於自己。
而出乎意料地，Tsherin提供了我第一次個展機會！至今，我仍然不太明白他當時是怎麼看到我的。我記得曾告訴他，藝術材料已經耗盡了我所有的收入，而他當時的表情清楚地表示他真心理解我的處境。Tsherin看到了表象之下的東西，他對我的信任給了我勇氣，讓我放下那些束縛我的期許。Tsherin 啟發我從黑暗中看到積極的一面，在絕望中找到希望，他擁有一種能激勵他人去發現自己故事和觀點中的自由的生活方式，這個態度改變了我對藝術的理解，也改變了我對生活的態度。
Q: 你覺得Tsherin Sherpa對喜馬拉雅當代藝術的貢獻是什麼？
Gyurmey：我認為Tsherin真正的非凡之處在於，他的藝術實踐並不僅限於創作的實體作品，他的生活方式就像是一種藝術展示——深刻且罕見，這種生活態度也反映在他的作品中，它們看起來生動且富有創造性，十分啟發人心。Tsherin不常談論「藝術是什麼」之類的問題，也不試圖用傳統的方式去教導他人，相反的，他的行動本身就說明了一切。僅僅是觀察他，我便自然學到了很多關於藝術、生活以及如何忠於自我的智慧。
Q: 你有參與在魯賓博物館舉辦的《Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now》群展，作為其中一位展出、才華橫溢的藝術家，感受如何？這個展覽對你有什麼影響嗎？
Gyurmey：參與魯賓美術館的《Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now》群展是一個極為振奮人心的經歷。魯賓美術館是喜馬拉雅藝術領域最具重要性的博物館之一，能夠和來自世界各地、與喜馬拉雅文化和社群相連結的眾多才華橫溢的藝術家一同展示我的作品，對我而言是一種榮幸，我對這次機會深感感激和謙卑。《Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now》群展不僅提升了我在創作上的自信，還讓我對自己的生活、社會和世界有了新的視角。這真的是一次有意義且充滿啟發的經歷！
Q: 你認為喜馬拉雅當代藝術是什麼？你的作品如何詮釋喜馬拉雅當代藝術？
Gyurmey：對我來說，喜馬拉雅當代藝術是多元的文化、宗教信仰和生活方式的象徵。儘管喜馬拉雅地區內部存在多樣性，但相似的氣候、自然環境和地理特徵為我們帶來了共同的挑戰，而我們以不同的方式來應對這些挑戰。這些共同經歷及其創造性的詮釋，構成了喜馬拉雅當代藝術的精髓。
我非常關注流離失所、歸屬感和文化遺產等主題，並探討了喜馬拉雅地區的共同經歷如何與我作為藏民的個人身份交織。我帶著非常私人的生命歷程與這個世界共鳴，透過這種親密視角，我將全球議題與個人敘事相連結，創造出一座連接全球性與個體性之間的橋樑。
透過縮放個人生命經歷，我期望讓觀眾對我所經歷的現實產生更多共鳴；同樣地，我利用個人的過往經驗來探討更廣泛的議題，讓觀眾通過已內化的方式來理解複雜的主題。這樣做的目的是希望為喜馬拉雅當代藝術的發展對話作出貢獻，製造個人與集體的交匯。
Q: 那你對身為一位藝術家的期許是什麼？你期待自己的作品帶給人們什麼？
Gyurmey：我的作品不僅延續了喜馬拉雅當代藝術的傳統，還深入探討了個人化與普遍性的主題，作為一位藝術家，我期望對世界留下有意義且充滿希望的影響，我希望我的作品能夠激發觀者對愛、同情和合一的感覺。
身為一名藏族後裔，我經常思考共享過往離散的經歷如何與我自身的身份交織。我將我的藝術視為理解世界的一種方式，這個理解來自於個人敘事和親密關係。同樣，我通過個人經歷來與更廣泛的議題建立聯繫，邀請觀眾共鳴複雜的主題。此外，我當前的作品也涉及氣候變遷、戰爭、流離失所和種族主義等全球性問題。通過將個人與集體相融合，我希望在喜馬拉雅當代藝術中促進有意義的對話，並將其與更廣泛的全球背景聯繫起來。
Pursuit and Transformation: Tenzin Gyurmey’s Artistic Journey
Tenzin Gyurmey Dorjee, an Indo-Tibetan artist from Kamrao village in Himachal Pradesh, India, not only continues the tradition of contemporary Himalayan art but also explores profound themes of culture, identity, and universal values through personal narratives and global issues. Born in 1987, he began studying traditional Tibetan Thangka painting under the guidance of his father, Tulku Troegyal, at the age of six and officially became a full-time artist in 2013. These formative years have shaped Gyurmey’s work, which reflects the evolution of Himalayan culture from tradition to contemporary forms. This creative energy earned him the inaugural Rubin Museum Himalayan Art Prize, established by the Rubin Museum of Art, in recognition of his contributions to bridging Himalayan art with contemporary life. Today, his studio is located in New Delhi, India, but the inspiration for his work remains deeply rooted in his experiences and cultural background as a descendant of the Tibetan people. In terms of technique, Gyurmey utilizes acrylic paint and raw linen, employing layering and scraping techniques to create a sense of erasure and transition in his works. His paintings often feature large areas of blank or negative space, evoking an unfinished quality. This not only symbolizes the displacement he has experienced, but also leaves room for the viewer’s imagination and interpretation.
Tsherin Sherpa, a key figure in promoting contemporary Himalayan art, has had a profound influence on Gyurmey’s artistic journey. Tsherin’s work reinterprets Tibetan and Himalayan cultural elements through a contemporary lens, successfully bringing them to the international stage. His mentorship has helped Gyurmey find light in the darkness and hope in times of hardship. Tsherin’s humorous and relaxed approach to addressing complex issues has not only inspired Gyurmey creatively but also taught him the importance of maintaining joy and passion in life.
Q: Could you share what it’s like discussing your creative process with Tsherin Sherpa? How have he influenced you?
Tenzin Gyurmey (Hereafter referred to as Gyurmey): Before meeting Tsherin Sherpa, I was overly serious about both my work and my life. Art was the only thing I truly felt I was good at, and I placed immense expectations on it. I burdened my artistic practice with the weight of responsibility, and it was clearly reflected in my work—it felt stagnant and directionless. My practice also suffered under the strain of family responsibilities and financial struggles. It was during this difficult time, by sheer luck, that I met Tsherin Sherpa.
He completely changed the way I approached art. Instead of placing expectations on it, he encouraged me to create for the joy of it. He told me to be wild, to express my perspective, to tell my own story fearlessly, and, most importantly, to be true to myself. Against all odds, he gave me my first solo show! To this day, I’m not entirely sure what he saw in me. I remember telling him how art supplies had drained all of my family’s income, and his expression in that moment made it clear that he truly understood my situation. He saw beyond the surface, and his belief in me gave me the courage to let go of the expectations that had been holding me back.
Q: What do you think is Tsherin Sherpa contribution to Himalayan contemporary art?
Gyurmey: What makes Tsherin truly extraordinary is that his art practice isn’t limited to the physical works he creates. His entire way of life feels like a form of art—profound and rare, something that only a few people might ever have the privilege of experiencing. He doesn’t talk much about art, nor does he try to teach in a conventional way. Instead, his actions speak for themselves. By simply observing him, I’ve naturally learned so much about art, life, and staying true to my own voice.
Tsherin’s work breaks boundaries by reimagining and incorporating Himalayan cultural elements into his creations, making it easier for a global audience to engage with Himalayan culture and broadening the reach of contemporary Himalayan art. I also believe that he is among the first Himalayan contemporary artists to create opportunities for other artists in the region to showcase their work in gallery spaces and connect with art collectors, offering them a chance to better understand the art ecosystem. This not only supports artists in sustaining their creative processes but also instills confidence in Himalayan artists, making it a significant and transformative contribution.
Q: What was it like to be part of the group of talented artists in the “Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now” group exhibition at the Rubin Museum of Art? Did this exhibition have any impact on you?
Gyurmey: Being part of the “Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now” group exhibition at the Rubin Museum was an incredibly uplifting experience. The Rubin is one of the most significant museums for Himalayan art, and it was an honor to showcase my work alongside so many talented artists from around the world, all of whom are connected in some way to Himalayan culture and society. I feel deeply grateful and humbled by this opportunity, which not only boosted my confidence but also gave me new perspectives on my life, society, and the world. It was truly a meaningful and inspiring experience!
Q: How do you perceive Himalayan contemporary art? And how does your work interpret Himalayan contemporary art?
Gyurmey: For me, Himalayan contemporary art celebrates the diverse cultures, religious beliefs, and ways of life deeply influenced by the region’s unique landscape, climate, and the majestic Himalayan mountains. Despite the diversity within the region, the shared climate, nature, and geography create common challenges, which we navigate in different ways. These shared experiences and their creative interpretations form the essence of Himalayan contemporary art.
In my work, I focus on themes of displacement, belonging, and the resilience of cultural heritage. My perspective is deeply personal, shaped by my close relationships with people I consider family or who are like family. Through this intimate lens, I connect global issues to personal narratives, bridging the universal and the individual.
By scaling personal experiences, we gain a way to empathize with larger realities. Similarly, I use my own stories and experiences to engage with broader issues, allowing viewers to connect with complex themes through relatable, humanized perspectives. In doing so, I aim to contribute to the evolving dialogue of Himalayan contemporary art, celebrating the intersection of the personal and the collective.
Q: What are your expectations as an artist? What do you hope your work will bring to people?
Gyurmey: My work continues the tradition of Himalayan contemporary art while exploring deeply personal and universal themes. As an artist, my goal is to leave a meaningful and hopeful impact on the world, inspiring love, compassion, and oneness in those who experience it. I view my art as a lens for understanding the world, rooted in personal narratives and close relationships. I use personal stories to connect with broader issues, inviting viewers to empathize with complex themes from a humanized perspective.
My current work also addresses global concerns such as climate change, war, displacement, and racism. By blending the personal with the collective, I aim to foster meaningful dialogue within Himalayan contemporary art and connect it to broader global contexts.
