GALEK YANGZOM

SOLO EXHIBITION

PATTERNED PRAYER

Y Art Project is excited to present Bhutanese artist Galek Yangzom’s first solo exhibition, "Patterned Prayer," in The Arts House in Singapore on July 21 and July 22, 2023. This exhibition is also co-presented by Coinllectibles.

Surrounded by the mountains of the Himalayas and the traditions of her country, Galek Yangzom fostered a desire to give back to her home. Her father’s dedication towards his work during his time in office as the Prime Minister further motivated her to find her passion for art and work towards building a curriculum of art education in Bhutan. As such, Galek has taken inspiration from her rich culture to create pieces that highlight the endless possibilities that can be built from the abundant time-honored art found in Bhutan.

The exhibition by Galek Yangzom features her paintings that recontextualize the traditional motifs, designs, and patterns that are central to Bhutanese culture. She draws inspiration from nature, Bhutanese architecture, and her own creations. The traditional motifs, derived from natural elements, are considered sacred by the Bhutanese people, who imbue them with a sense of life and spirit. The patterns on buildings and clothes communicate identity, culture, and heritage. Galek's paintings explore the academic interaction between colors, the abandonment of strict symmetric rules, and the repetition of Bhutanese architectural norms. She aims to answer questions about the presence of the pattern's spirit in different contexts outside of textiles and architecture.

 Click here for the exhibition catalogue.

BIO

Galek Yangzom (b. 1999) is a Bhutanese artist who works primarily with oil paint. At Swarthmore College, where she double majored in Studio Art and Economics, she focused her time on expanding her familiarity with multiple mediums. During her thesis exhibition, she showcased her exploration of memory and the role it plays in object sacredness, familiarity, and ownership. In order to convey the stories and emotions of her world, Galek attempts to use magic realism in her work. She exaggerates, distorts, and extends the drama of our immediate reality to see outside the superficial.

ARTWORK