Ngawang Jorden
Jorden is a painter based in the US.
1. Why is art important?
I think that art is one of the oldest universal form of communicating and documenting history and social changes; it opens up people's conscience, and mind.
2. How did you begin your career? What were the defining influences and impulses?
I began my career doing traditional Tibetan thanka painting; I started drawing and painting from an early age so there are not specific defining influences I enjoy painting, and I just wanted to paint. My impulse was the wish to do what I enjoy the most, and the satisfaction or joy I feel when I paint.
3. Can you tell us about your evolution as an artist?
When I was a child I liked to paint flowers, mountains and rivers! later on I studied thanka painting which I enjoyed very much because it strengthens your concentration and serve a religious purpose. I wanted to respect the traditional ways of painting thankas, and for that reason I moved on to contemporary styles, with which I can express myself in much broader way.
4. What is your favorite piece of art by another artist (in any medium)? Why do you like it so much?
My favorite painting is called "The poor poet" by Carl Spitzweg, 1839. The reason why I like it so much is because just by looking at the painting you can imagine the poet's story from what's around him. It is almost as if you can feel the temperature of the room, and imagine what the poet could be going through; with that painting it is as if you could see through someone's life.
5. What is your favorite piece by yourself?
My favorite piece is called "Struggle at any Price", and I like it because it shows the past, present and possible future of the Tibetan people.
6. Describe your style.
I would describe it as "traditional, realistic and modern" one in which I take realistic elements from daily life, I use surrealistic images, and I combine all of that with different elements extracted from the Tibetan struggle as well as other modern social issues.
7. How do you nurture your skill or talent?
I attend to art classes where I can learn on different styles and techniques. Also I try to visit museums, art exhibitions, and different arts events on an often basis. I try to explore new techniques and use them when I paint. Basically, I try to be open to experimenting with elements that perhaps I have not used before either modern or classic.
8. How can art change the world?
Art can serve as a tool to create awareness on different issues because it can open people's minds. It touches the soul in ways that other forms of human expression can't. It brings people together, regardless of class, race or social differences. It enables me to appreciate the beauty and the ugliness of life in all it's form and arouse emotions in people. This hopefully will start conversations and may motivate people to act.
To me art and activism go hand in hand. Art is a means of expression and has been used for centuries by the oppressed as a non obvious way to communicate or show opposing or critical opinion in a non-violent manor.
9. Tell us about your dream project.
Through my paintings I would like to convey the ordinary things that we oversee but that are still beautiful to the eye. I want to find the best way to paint ordinary series of people doing ordinary things, and show the beauty of both.
