Tenzing Rigdol (born 1982) is an American contemporary artist. He is known for his art installations like the one involving 20,000 kg of Tibetan soil in Dharamshala, fostering cultural exchange through the Dialogue Artist Residency, and contributing to the documentary film Bringing Tibet Home. His works have been exhibited worldwide, including at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and he has published poetry collections.
Tenzing Rigdol | |
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Born | 1982 (age 41–42) |
Nationality | American |
Tenzing Rigdol was born in 1982 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Having completed his education at the University of Colorado Denver College of Arts & Media, Rigdol holds a master's degree in philosophy, a BA-BFA in art and art history, and was honored with an Honorary Doctorate in 2022 by the University of Colorado Board of Regents.[1]
Tenzing Rigdol is a Tibetan American contemporary artist known for his expertise in thangka art. He has gained recognition for his ability to blend Tibetan heritage with modern artistic expressions.[2]
One of his notable projects involved using 20,000 kg of Tibetan soil from Shigatse for an installation in Dharamshala, symbolizing a connection to Tibet for displaced Tibetans.[3][4]
Rigdol's artworks have been displayed in various galleries and collected by institutions worldwide.[2] In 2014, his artwork Pin drop silence: Eleven-headed Avalokiteshvara was acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.[5][6]
He established the Dialogue Artist Residency (DAR) to encourage collaboration between Tibetan and international artists.[2]
Rigdol has collaborated with Tibetan filmmakers and contributed to the documentary Bringing Tibet Home (2013). He has published three collections of poems.
He famously combines traditional Tibetan iconography with contemporary pop culture or political references, which have made him a controversial yet fascinating figure in artistic and religious circles