An exhibition of Buddhist art from the Himalayas is presented for the attention of the Bulgarian public, with works from the National Gallery, the Dimitrovgrad Historical Museum and the collections of Nikolay Genov and Dr Lyudmil Veselinov.
Buddhist art is one of the remarkable forms of culture that has developed over the centuries in the region of the world’s largest mountain range, the Himalayas. The majestic mountains incorporate the Tibetan Plateau, Nepal, Bhutan, and the northern regions of India and Pakistan. Neighbouring geographic areas, such as China, Mongolia, southern Siberia, Tuva, Buryatia, and northern Myanmar, all bear influences of the Himalayan culture.
Buddhist art of the Himalayas is characterised by expressly religious themes, combining artistic influence from neighbouring regions with specific compositions, symbols and motifs unique to the Himalayan area. This sacred art bears the marks of the Buddhist traditions Mahayana (‘Great Vehicle’) and Vajrayana (‘Diamond Vehicle’), recreating their characteristic themes and artistic style. The religious and philosophical concepts of these two schools define the image of painting, sculpture, architecture, and ritual objects. The works of Himalayan Buddhist art can be seen as murals in temples and monasteries, as illustrations in religious manuscripts, medical and astrological treatises, or as Buddhist ‘icons’ with a deep religious meaning, known as Tibetan ‘thangka’. They all bear a profound sacral significance.
The present exhibition takes us on an exciting journey through the mystical worlds of the Himalayas and acquaints us with images of the enlightenment that have the power to awaken the human spirit. The works from the National Gallery include statues from the regions of India, Tibet, and Mongolia. The Dimitrovgrad Historical Museum presents part of its collection of Tibetan art donated in 2011 by the then-Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Bulgaria. The works from the collections of Nikolay Genov and Dr Lyudmil Veselinov include Buddhist icons, ritual objects, and illustrated manuscripts from the regions of Tibet and Mongolia. The exposition also includes photographs taken by Teodor Malchiev in India, Tibet, Bhutan, and Nepal.
Dr Lyudmila Klasanova
