Artist’s Statement
SOUNDLESSNESS / Bình Nhi
26th August to 28th August
My stay in Nepal lasted longer than I initially thought. Art always teaches us to explore, passion, and pursue to the end no matter where we are.
My first wish upon coming to the land of Buddha was to study more about Buddha, Mandala, and Thangka paintings at Tsering Art School in Shechen monastery. After almost three months of experiencing many places, I feel as if the colors, people, and scenery of this place harmonize with me as one.
Thus, my drawings came to me naturally without any hesitation—over 20 paintings on rice paper. The idea of saving beautiful memories through a personal exhibition made sense to me and I started composing more outside of class.
The 3 days of my exhibition are neither more nor less. For me, they are perfect.
There are over 35 paintings carefully placed over two floors—the 1st floor shows 10 paintings of lotuses and insects that are knitted with religious colors. These works are perhaps the old self immersing in new colors without losing itself.
On the 2nd floor, I have displayed, landscapes, people, and places I experienced in Nepal. All the paintings are painted in abstract language.
The religious colors of Nepal attract me and I have expressed it in lines, texture, and colors. When it comes to art, I don’t intend to draw to imply or describe what I want to say, but rather I like to touch and feel.
Every path I go through carries the sound of mantras and Buddhist verses. It’s the sound of liberation, the sound of freedom and peace that I feel. It cannot be expressed in words.
“Silence” is perhaps the state when the self finds a release, it is surprisingly not without sound, and it is not voiceless. It’s like falling into the stillness of the mind!
To experience all of those was not an easy path but to achieve genuine happiness within me is my greatest wish.
I hope my personal experiences in this foreign land—as a form of art— will bring the sound of joy to all.
Title: Soundlessness
Material: Acrylic on canvas
Size: (90×240)cm
Year of the composition 2022
Nepal, 23.8.2022
Venue: Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal Revisited