The Bhutanese Renaissance Man: Getting to the art of it!

One of the oldest and most honest forms of self-expression is the creation of Art, from the 40,000-year-old Borneo cave paintings in Indonesia to the curated walls of famous museums. Artists have the profound ability to share their view of the world through their pieces, leaving a part of themselves on the canvas. The power of art lies in its innate ability to transport you, to transfix you and to transform you. An artist’s journey requires living authentically and looking inwards and no stranger to this path is Wang Rana Gurung, the 27-year-old talented and skilled Bhutanese freelance artist. You can find him on his daily evening walks with his faithful drawing book tucked under one arm, breathing in his surroundings,

 “I draw inspiration from my surroundings and the people around me. If you just step back and take a moment to look around, you will see a lot of beauty and I have been blessed to be born in a country like Bhutan where everywhere you turn, you find beauty” Wang mused.

Growing up Wang was a bright and curious child, enthralled by stories told by others, always searching for a deeper connection with each person he met. His love for art was nurtured in creative art programs during his childhood years which sparked a life-long passion in him and fueled his passion for a future as an artist. Through his powerful and poignant artwork Wang has represented Bhutan in international competitions, showcasing the country he loves, which was a notable highlight to his artistic career. His unique style plays with the boundaries of traditional aesthetics with modern moods,

“I feel like there is a gap between the traditional and contemporary art scene. For me, I am trying my best to fill this gap and connect the two thus creating a new art style that merges and honors both worlds. I am grateful that I have friends from all walks of life and different age ranges because of which I get the opportunity to see everyone’s unique perspective,” said Wang.

Despite the global pandemic, the generosity of Wang’s creative spirit knows no bounds as he freely shares his love of art with others and he recalls fondly taking part in the ‘Tshanglajong Art Camp’ earlier this year. The art camp was organized by Save the Children Bhutan and through a collaboration with VAST Bhutan (Voluntary Artists Studio of Thimphu) engaged 61 students in creative workshops introducing them to different art mediums from sketching to painting.

“Luckily, my work wasn’t too affected during the pandemic and my passion for art kept me going, and I was doing projects like these that were related to COVID. Art is therapy for me and during the lockdown, when I was at home, I used to work on my art as an escape.” described Wang.

Wang’s pandemic art is living proof of the masterful way in which he portrays his emotions against the backdrop of the current situation we are in. In one powerful image, a snaggy skyline of Thimphu’s buildings painted with vibrant acrylic on a large white canvas, morphs into a majestic Takin with a mask hanging from its mouth. This is Wang’s “The Lockdown Takin” an art piece that won him first place in the ‘National Modern Art Competition’ organized by VAST Bhutan and in collaboration with The Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan in February of 2021.  Wang’s ombré Takin, pointedly depicts how differently the lockdown impacts lives depending on what part of society you belong to and how financially secure you are.

“I don’t want my art to just hang on the wall, looking pretty, I want to send messages through my art. My pieces should provoke the viewer to think and question, not just themselves but the society we live in. By doing this, I hope that the next generation of artists will express themselves authentically through art and carry on the previous generation’s talented legacy” Wang shared.

Being creative no matter the circumstance is a motto that Wang embodies in his life as an artist and in each piece he creates. His ‘Lockdown Takin’ now immortalized as a representation of the times, reflects how creativity can endure even a pandemic, undeterred. Wang’s love of art is more than a personal anecdote, it is a way of life and a community for him. “Even though there were challenges, I never once thought of quitting on art and giving up painting. Art is a part of who I am and in its very nature is how I navigate through life” smiles Wang.

Article contributed by Jetsuen Wangmo for the UN/JICA We Care We Share Initiative