We at Ariun Rashaan NGO, or “Magic Healing Waters,” generally do not involve ourselves in projects related to contemporary art. Our main objective is the preservation and stabilization of the traditional Buddhist heritage of the country, which in terms of art means Buddhist tangkas, statues, temple dance costumes, tsam dance masks, and so forth.
However, the Union of Mongolian Artists, one of the most important artist unions in the country, held an exhibition of art by the top female artists in the country, and our own Soyolma was voted Female Artist of the Year. This is the same Soyolma whom we had sent to Oglethorpe University Museum of Art in Atlanta (see Project Eight) for the exhibit Portals to Shangri-La: Masterpieces from Buddhist Mongolia (see Project Three). As well as being a highly regarded contemporary artist, Soyolma is also a master tangka painter as well as other temple art disciplines.
Following the reception of her award Soyolma was invited to create a solo exhibition in the Union of Mongolian Artists Gallery, one of Mongolia’s premiere art venues. (She has previously had similar solo shows in other venues of equal stature in the city, but this, following on the heels of the award, was special.)
Again, this was a great honor for Soyolma. But it also brought considerable pressure into her life. Artists are only paid when their paintings sell. Suddenly she had to create many new paintings for her show. The cost of canvases, paints and framing would be her responsibility.
She mentioned the situation to us, and we sent a letter to an Atlanta patron of the arts. The patron came through with flying colors.
Soyolma spent the next months painting and framing. Naturally the show was a smashing success.
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| Soyolma’s solo exhibition in the Xanadhu Dallery, 2007 |
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| Soyolma receives Female Artist of the Year at the UMA Gallery, Mar 2008 |
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