The Rubin Museum announced its latest exhibition, “Healing Practices: Stories from Himalayan Americans”, with its opening night on March 18th, 2022.

“Healing Practices: Stories from Himalayan Americans” explores different approaches to well-being through Tibetan Buddhist artwork and objects– from the Rubin Museum’ collection, and through practices from personal stories and experiences of Himalayan community members in NYC. The exhibition offers insight on themes such as longevity, prevention, and healing, and “highlights how these living traditions are transformed and adopted for today’s world, inspiring visitors to reflect on their own healing journeys.” – www.rubinmuseum.org

The opening night, featuring Yesh, a Swiss-born Tibetan artist, sold out with over 800 attendees. Music filled the halls of the museum, with people of all ages coming together to celebrate the historic event. This is the first exhibition by Rubin with both members of the Museum and Himalayan community members coming together to curate and create a platform for the voices of Himalayan Americans.

Michelle Bennett-Simorella, Director of Curatorial Administration and Collections, along with a Community Advisory Group of members with respective fields in the arts, healing, and activism, brought to life Healing Practices. Advisory members include Yakpo’s founder and co-director, Tsewang Lhamo, in addition to Nawang Gurung, Dr. Kunga Wangdue, Chime Dolma, Aatish Gurung, Geshe Tashi Dorje, Tshering Yangzom, Ikuko Acosta, Pema Dorjee.

“Right from the first Community Advisory meeting, I felt that this was such a powerful and diverse team. I was in awe of everyone's collaboration and their expertise in making this exhibition into something I haven't seen happen at the museum before. I had interned at the Rubin Museum during my teenage years and visited the museum often growing up. This was my only place in NYC where I could be close to and appreciate Tibetan art and finally seeing an exhibit at the museum fully bilingual in Tibetan and English was such a groundbreaking experience. And to know that I had a little part in it and got to connect with other community members made me feel extremely blessed.”

– Tsewang Lhamo, Community Advisory Group Member

Throughout the exhibition, visitors have the option of reading Tibetan and English captions, another first for the Museum.

“Among the American public, when they come to the museum, they are fascinated by the Tibetan artwork. They ask where are all these great Tibetans? Where are these masters?” says Tenzin Gelek, a senior specialist at the Rubin Museum and the co-founder of Latse.

Speaking to Yakpo’s Tsejin, Tenzin Gelek continues his thoughts, “Now we wanted to bring people like yourself, to say that there are still Tibetans that are continuing [art], that they are still here, and they’re doing a great job. 500 years ago we had great masters producing work, and today we have you.”

Tsewang Lhamo, The Yakpo Collective’s founder and co-director, and a community advisory group member for the exhibition explains,

“For many years and even now, Tibetans and Tibetan art and culture has been the topic and subject mostly told by non-Tibetans for non-Tibetans. There was a lack of inclusivity and to me, being able to tell our own stories not only for a limited audience is so vital. People are able to appreciate the Rubin due to our existence as a whole and I think it is important that we take up the space and narrate in our own way. Chances are, all Tibetans grew up differently especially in the diaspora. Not all of us meditate and are religious and we process healing in various ways. Therefore, it is important that folks from outside of our community don't just only put us in this one box that defines us. I hope that The Rubin will continue to build this relationship with the community and provide the space for Tibetans to share our stories and culture.”

You can visit the Rubin Museum’s Healing Practices exhibition until January 16th, 2023.