Transmitting Divinity Tibetan Art
Saturday November 26, 7 – 10
Dharma Studio
3170 Commodore Plaza
Coconut Grove, Fl 33133

Karma Phuntsok. Transmitting Divinity Tibetan Art

Dharma Studio cordially invites you to the artist reception for Karma Phuntsok. Transmitting Divinity Tibetan Art

November 26 – December 11, 2011
Karma Phuntsok’s unique and dynamic expression of contemporary Buddhist art is at once steeped in ancient Tibetan culture and at the same time completely breaks free from strict cultural norms and rules. His art and life are reflections of each other. His paintings ooze compassion, humor, confidence, deep thought, peace and strength. Stare long enough at any piece and you will continue to see something new and thought provoking. Karma often beautifully, intelligently shines a spotlight on political and philosophical ideas.

Karma was still a child in Tibet when in 1959 he along with 80,000 other refugees that year followed His Holiness the Dalai Lama into exile. As a refugee in India he excelled at art and eventually was an apprentice to master Tibetan Thangka painter in Nepal. There Karma learned the ancient techniques such as mixing the pigments tempering them with herbs, and how to hem the canvases and string them in a wood frame. He became thoroughly immersed in not just the particular disciplines of painting but also the rich symbolism and allegory that underlie the Thangka technique

Karma now lives with his wife and son in a charming cottage in the rolling bushlands north of Kyogle, Australia. The dense forest visible from the clearing surrounding their home, lays the fertile ground for what springs to life on his canvas. The art of Karma Phunstok is a modern expression of an ancient craft, a time-honored tradition interwoven with 21st century inspiration. His wealth of imagery and allegory flow from the richness of his life experience: from a childhood in Chinese-occupied Tibet, coming of age as a refugee in India, an apprenticeship in Nepal, and his love of the Australian outback. His work is internationally acclaimed, and his paintings hang in private and public collections and galleries worldwide.

Karma travels the world exhibiting his art. Most recently he was featured in a one-man show, “Sacred Painting”, in honor of the Dalai Lama’s visit to Sidney, Australia, and a well received individual exhibition “Magie du Tibet” at Galerie Métanoia in Paris, France. His exhibitions have included the Queen’s Hall at Parliament House in Melbourne, and his exhibition at “Tibet Art Now” for the Dalai Lama’s visit to Amsterdam. Throughout the years Karma has done many paintings for the Dalai Lama including one that hangs in his Holiness’ temple in Dharamsala India.

Program:
November 26 to December 11, 2011
Show on view at Dharma Studio. Hours: weekdays 2-5pm, weekends 3pm-10pm
SATURDAY November 26, 7-10 pm
Opening Reception
Monday November 28, 7 – 10 pm
Art Starts in the Grove
Friday December 9, 7pm
Artist Talk at Dharma Studio
Tibetan Buddhist practices and art
Saturday December 10 & Sunday December 11
Traditional Tibetan Art Class
at Blu Moon Art Studioa
in Coconut Grove
3444 Main Hwy. Top Floor.
Call 305 794 0329