To celebrate the 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bhutan and India, 35 artworks are exhibited at the Nehru-Wangchuk cultural centre in Thimphu.

The exhibition called ‘An art expedition to the land of the Thunder dragon’ started from June 1 and ends tomorrow.

The artworks are from 16 Indian and four Bhutanese artists from Vast Bhutan. Art Revolution from India is organising the exhibition.

Director and founder of Art Revolution, Smruti Sirsat, said the exhibition is aimed at interacting with Bhutanese artists and to get to know the different style of working or process of producing an art.  “Only by travelling to another country and mingling with their artists do we get to know their culture and understand the people better,” she said.  “Art is the best thing to bring people together.”

As part of the exhibition, a live painting workshop was also held yesterday.

Eleven fifth year students from National Institute of Zorig Chusum and members from Vast Bhutan participated in the workshop.

Smruti Sirsat said that for better cultural exchange, the live paintings made by the participants would be taken to India and exhibited there.

She said that as most participants are from National Institute of Zorig Chusum, they would get to learn how the local artists work.  “Looking at a painting when it is ready is different from looking at it when they are working,” she said. “Seeing how it is made and their techniques, is something very enriching.”

She added that when an artist is working, people get to know what the artist’s thought process is and their techniques such as the different ways of brush strokes would help understand the art and the culture of the place better.

One of the participants, Kezang Dawa, said that as they study traditional art, the workshop is a good opportunity to compare and gain more experience. “It is important for artists to mingle and share their works as we can exchange ideas and gain experiences from our differences.”

Karma Cheki