tsherin Sherpa

Tsherin Sherpa (b. 1968) is a Nepalese artist who currently resides between California and Kathmandu. The foundation of his style stems from traditional Tibetan thangka painting, taught to him by his father. After immigrating to California in 1998, he began experimenting with his art by placing his traditional tantric style into a contemporary framework. His various mediums of works incorporate traditional motifs, colors, and symbolism which are repositioned into modern context, including composition as well as subject matter. His style reveals a parallel narrative to his own life experiences, as Tsherin Sherpa begins to incorporate different aesthetics, themes, and subject matter which reflect various cultures and time periods which he has witnessed. While there is a clear emphasis on Sherpa's personal and artistic routes, viewers glimpsing at Sherpa's various works are able to indulge and empathize with his exploration of visual and cultural experimentation, allowing one to develop their own unique take on his work. Tsherin's work has been exhibited globally as well as being showcased by prestigious institutions, including representing Nepal at the 2022 Venice Biennale, as well as a recent solo exhibition at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art.

Influenced by Himalayan deities and his grandmother’s stories of spirits, Tsherin Sherpa's "Skippers (Knee-Deep)" fiberglass sculpture embodies transformation through diverse life experiences and cultures. Upon first glance, it exudes a traditional Himalayan spirit, using gold leaf on the hands and head, alongside traditional iconography in the crown. While maintaining a rooted connection, Tsherin employs abstraction for personal expression. The acrylic-painted body is adorned with a vibrant, abstract design. Closer inspection reveals a clever collection of distorted imagery—spirits' faces, feet, and snakes—providing a challenge to conventional norms. Tsherin intentionally warps traditional elements, inviting modern, subjective analysis from viewers. Contemporary touches like the deliberate inclusion of bubblegum allude to a sense of frivolity. These modern influences convey the artist’s embrace of personal encounters and his transformation of them into artistic exploration.

Skippers (Knee-Deep)

2022

4/7 limited edition Gold leaf, ink, acrylic on fiberglass

39 1/4 × 22 × 14 in.

(99.7 × 55.88 × 35.56 cm)

Price on request aRtWORk PReSented By:

H. Edward Gallery

T.: +1 (646) 753-2819

E.: hedwardgallery@gmail.com

W.: www.hedwardgallery.com

Contemplation

2015 Gold leaf, acrylic, and ink on cotton

Framed

48 x 38 in. (122 x 98.5 cm)

Price on request aRtWORk PReSented By:

H. Edward Gallery

T.: +1 (646) 753-2819

E.: hedwardgallery@gmail.com

W.: www.hedwardgallery.com

Tsherin Sherpa's "Contemplation" presents a striking portrait of a spirit-figure seamlessly woven into contemporary culture. Evoking traditional Himalayan deities, the figure's vibrant purple head, hands, and feet adorned with classic motifs contrast against a backdrop of gold leaf. Yet, its body is an amalgamation of cartoon style figures drawn from modern pop culture, a reflection of the artist's diverse influences and personal experiences. Bridging traditional thangka artistry with pop culture elements, the composition breaks free from conventions, embodying Sherpa's evolution and passions. This fusion serves as a testament to the lasting impact of multicultural encounters and a reminder of the perpetual transformation inherent in the human experience.