NEW YORK, NY.- The Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art has acquired artworks from contemporary Himalayan artists Tenzin Gyurmey Dorjee, Shraddha Shrestha, and Shushank Shrestha.

The acquisitions reflect the Rubin’s continued commitment in its new model as a global museum to expanding its collection, broadening understanding of Himalayan art, and supporting and giving visibility to living artists. The acquisitions build on recent initiatives, including the Rubin Art Prize and Rubin Grants, aimed at nurturing the next generation of artists and promoting the rich cultural legacy and living traditions of Himalayan regions.

The new acquisitions are featured in Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now, a group exhibition of contemporary artists organized by the Rubin Museum, currently on view at Wrightwood 659 in Chicago through February 15, 2025. The Rubin has acquired the acrylic on tarp chants of a monkey mind (2023) by Tenzin Gyurmey Dorjee, who was recently awarded the inaugural Rubin Museum Himalayan Art Prize; five paintings from Shraddha Shrestha’s 2023 series Dus Mahavidyas (Great Goddesses of Wisdom); and Shushank Shrestha’s ceramic sculpture Uber Rat (2023). Both chants of a monkey mind (2023) and Dus Mahavidyas (Great Goddesses of Wisdom) (2023) will join the Rubin’s traveling exhibition Gateway to Himalayan Art.

The Museum’s preeminent collection includes nearly 4,000 objects that span more than 1,500 years to the present day. Included are objects from the Tibetan Plateau, with examples from Northern Indian, Nepalese, Bhutanese, Mongolian, and Chinese culturally related areas. The breadth of the Rubin’s collection highlights connections and key themes found in Himalayan art that find resonance across time and place.

“These acquisitions come into the collection at a pivotal moment for the Rubin Museum as we continue to evolve our approach to sharing Himalayan art with the world,” said Jorrit Britschgi, Executive Director of the Rubin Museum. “The work of these three remarkable artists fosters a dynamic dialogue between traditional Himalayan art and contemporary expressions, which is core to the Rubin’s mission. As a decentralized museum, we look forward to sharing these works of art to engage diverse audiences and encourage a deeper understanding of the cultural narratives that shape our collective identities.”

Tenzin Gyurmey Dorjee (b. 1987) was awarded the inaugural Rubin Himalayan Art Prize in September 2024. The annually awarded unrestricted cash prize of $30,000 was established to support living artists and recognize the work of innovative individuals who have contributed creative and critically relevant dialogues between Himalayan art and contemporary life. Based in Himachal Pradesh, India, Tenzin Gyurmey Dorjee explores the paradoxes present in the seemingly ordinary things in his life. As a second-generation Tibetan refugee, the artist uses different mediums to explore themes of displacement, belonging, and cultural heritage.

Shraddha Shrestha (b. 1988) is a muralist, illustrator, and visual artist based in Kathmandu, Nepal. She has been active in Kathmandu’s street art scene since 2011 and is a part of the Virangana Comics Collective, a group for illustrators in Nepal. She recently published the first all-women comics anthology in Nepal, and she credits growing up in the aesthetically rich city of Patan as contributing to her journey as an artist. Much of her art features fantastical characters that are a reflection of her childhood days and traditional surroundings.

Shushank Shrestha (b. 1993) is aceramic artist from Kathmandu, Nepal, who engages with modern culture throughthe lens of traditional Nepalese art. Cartoons and animated movies have been asource of inspiration and fantasy for the artist. He received his MFA inceramic arts from New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in2023, and his BFA from Kathmandu University School of Arts in 2016. His workhas been exhibited in Nepal, Pakistan, China, France, and the United States,and he most recently showed new work as part of NADA Miami in 2024.

Acquisitions

Tenzin Gyurmey Dorjee
chants of a monkey mind; 2023
Acrylic on tarp
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2024.1.1
Purchased from Museum's Acquisition Fund

Shraddha Shrestha
Dus Mahavidyas (Great Goddesses of Wisdom): Matangi; 2023
Acrylic on canvas
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2024.3.1
Purchased from Museum's Acquisition Fund

Shraddha Shrestha
Dus Mahavidyas (Great Goddesses of Wisdom): Kamala; 2023
Acrylic on canvas
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2024.3.2
Purchased from Museum's Acquisition Fund

Shraddha Shrestha
Dus Mahavidyas (Great Goddesses of Wisdom): Tara; 2023
Acrylic on canvas
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2024.3.3
Purchased from Museum's Acquisition Fund

Shraddha Shrestha
Dus Mahavidyas (Great Goddesses of Wisdom): Dhumavati; 2023
Acrylic on canvas
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2024.3.4
Purchased from Museum's Acquisition Fund

Shraddha Shrestha
Dus Mahavidyas (Great Goddesses of Wisdom): Sangraha; 2023
Acrylic on canvas
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2024.3.5
Purchased from Museum's Acquisition Fund

Shushank Shrestha
Uber Rat; 2023
Ceramic, in-glaze lustre
Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art; C2024.2.1
Purchased from Museum's Acquisition Fund