Organized by the Honolulu Academy of Arts and the Department of Culture, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs of the Royal Government of Bhutan, The Dragon’s Gift is a groundbreaking exhibition of rare religious Buddhist art with a special focus on ancient ritual Buddhist dances that have been preserved intact in Bhutan. The exhibition will have its only east coast showing at RMA.
The Dragon’s Gift comprises 87 works of art in the New York presentation, including intricate paintings and images created using applique and embroidery framed in brocade, called thangkas; gilt bronze and wooden sculptures; and ritual objects ranging in date from the 8th to the 20th century, with especially strong examples from the 17th through the 19th century. Because most of the works of art come from active temples, where they still serve as consecrated objects, Buddhist monks will remain in residence at RMA during the period of the exhibition, performing the necessary ritual observances.
This exhibition is organized by the Honolulu Academy of Arts and the Department of Culture, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
The art conservation, dance preservation, and educational programs of The Dragon’s Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan are made possible through the lead support of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation.
Major support for The Dragon’s Gift is provided by the E. Rhodes & Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, the Michael and Patricia O’Neill Charitable Fund, Susan Pillsbury, Lawrence and Joyce Stupski, Le Burta G. Atherton, and the Freeman Foundation. Additional support is provided by Hotels & Resorts of Halekulani, Japan Airlines, Drukair, the National Endowment for the Arts, the W.L.S. Spencer Foundation, and Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt.
The New York presentation of The Dragon’s Gift is supported, in part, by The Blakemore Foundation and The Howat Family Foundation. Cham! Ritual Dances of Bhutan and the Weaver-in-Residence program are made possible, in part, by a grant from the Asian Cultural Council.
