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#reclaimtibet
Tibetan Independence Day
This February 13th marks 103 years since the 13th Dalai Lama of Tibet proclaimed the restoration of Tibet's independence. Every country marks significant historical dates in its founding as a nation. Regardless of its current political status, Tibet is no exception. Students for a Free Tibet has set aside February 13th as an important day to commemorate Tibet's independent past.
For this year's Tibetan Independence Day SFT Canada, in collaboration with BPL and Scrim4Rent Gallery, celebrate with an art exhibition featuring image-based works by young local Tibetan artists. Through photography, painting, drawing, sculpture and video Artists In Exile: #ReclaimTibet explores the themes of identity, culture, language preservation, nationalism and youth.
Curated by Sonam Chokey, National Director, SFT Canada, this exhibit is a component of a larger SFT campaign #ReclaimTibet and is the second art event in the Bureau’s series Artists In Exile. This show is made possible with the generous support of Scrim4Rent. Featured works will be on sale to support SFT Canada's campaigns and solidarity work for Tibetan Freedom.
Through this exhibit we will join the efforts of Tibetans inside and outside Tibet to secure Tibet's proud past and shape it’s future.
ARTISTS
BIO PHOTOS: ALLY KAMINO
Sonam is a strong, passionate and dynamic Tibetan activist who believes in the power of youth and strategic non-violence. Sonam’s love and involvement with Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) started early on at the York University SFT chapter in 2010 during her first year of undergraduate studies. As a former student of the Tibetan performing arts, nowadays she instructs young students in both traditional and contemporary Tibetan Performing Arts at the Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre
Rignam is a writer, photographer and activist working on freedom of expression and refugee issues in Toronto. In 2013, Rignam traveled to Tibet where he taught English to rural Tibetan students. It was on the Tibetan plateau where Rignam discovered his passion for photography. He has worked at the UN Refugee Agency in India and currently works with Canadian Journalists for Free Expression. Rignam is a graduate
Lodoe Laura is a multidisciplinary artist who works in photography, sculpture, installation and film. Her work deals with the themes of language, identity and collective memory. Lodoe Laura is a recipient of the 2014 AIMIA | AGO Scholarship Prize, and her work is currently being exhibited at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Lodoe Laura lives in Toronto, Canada, where she is completing her BFA in Photography at Ryerson University's School of Image Arts.
Tenzin Tsering Chözang is an artist, illustrator and a photographer studying Illustration at OCAD University in Toronto. His primary gateway into the art world was inspired by the traditional Tibetan art that occupy the walls and the floors of his home in Nepal. He is also influenced by modern contemporary Tibetan artists such as Nortse, Gade and Tsherin Sherpa, and aims to contribute his vision and work to the art world as a contemporary Tibetan artist.
Ngawang Datok is a mixed media artist based in Toronto, Canada. He works with various themes including cultural diversity, human interaction and man vs nature. He worked on a collaborative installation piece with fellow new media artist Micah Elizabeth Scottwas, and had it exhibited at TIFF digiPlaySpace. He is finishing up his BFA in New Media at Ryerson University where he works with electronic sculptures, installations, video and photography. During his spare time he shoots street photography
Tenzin Rabyang is an artist originally from Kathmandu, Nepal. His works are predominantly in the medium of stippling and painting. He draws his inspiration mainly from his surroundings and everyday life. Rabyang is currently studying Mechanical Engineering Technology-Design at George Brown College in Toronto.
"Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) works in solidarity with the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom and independence. We are a chapter-based network of young people and activists around the world. Through education, grassroots organizing, and non-violent direct action, we campaign for Tibetans’ fundamental right to political freedom. Our role is to empower and train youth as leaders in the worldwide movement for social justice."
GALLERY
