Curated by Rachel Perera Weingeist

July 20 — December 15, 2013
Morgan Anderson Gallery, Howard Greenberg Family Gallery, Sara Bedrick Gallery, and Corridor

To see programming associated with this exhibition, click here.

Anonymous explores the tension between an ancient culture's unbroken artistic tradition and the personality-driven world of contemporary art. Curated by Rachel Perera Weingeist and largely drawn from The Shelley and Donald Rubin Private Collection, the exhibition 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.

Rabkar Wangchuk, Spiritual Mind and Modern Technology, 2013, acrylic on canvas, 78 x 48 inches, The Shelley and Donald Rubin Private Collection

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.

Marie-Dolma Chopel, Winter, 2013, oil, enamel, pain marker and spray paint on canvas, 48 x 60 inches, The Shelley and Donald Rubin Private Collection

A 176 page, full-color catalogue with essays by Rachel Perera Weingeist, David Elliot, and Jamyang Norbu is available for purchase at the museum and through SUNY Press.

Kesang Lamdark, Dorge Drakkten and Kiss, 2012, melted plastic and acrylic, two panels, 94 1/2 x 50 x 3/4 inches each, The Shelley and Donald Rubin Private Collection

 
Anonymous serves as a catalyst for a series of public programs, artist talks, academic symposia, and educational offerings at the Dorsky and throughout the SUNY New Paltz community. In July, artist Tsherin Sherpa, based in Oakland, California, spent two days constructing, from found objects, a site-specific self-portrait, installed in the Fine Arts Building Rotunda on the SUNY New Paltz campus. Zurich-based artist Kesang Lamdark will spend a period in residence on campus in October.

As part of SUNY New Paltz's Distinguished Speaker Series, Columbia University professor Robert Thurman will present a lecture "Tibetan Culture as World Treasure: What It Is, How It Came to Be, What Are Its Gifts Today" on Monday, November 4, 7:30 pm. For information and tickets, please visit: http://www.newpaltz.edu/speakerseries/

Funding for Anonymous and related programs is provided by the Friends of the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art and the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Visit the Anonymous website for blog, press, and other features.