Mr. KAMA WANGDI

Mr. KAMA WANGDI (Asha Kama) (BHUTAN)

EDUCATION

1991-1994 Kent Institute of Art and Design, University of Kent, United Kingdom

BA (Hon’s) Communication Media (Design pathway)

1979-1982 National Handicrafts Design Centre, Thimphu, Bhutan

1976-1979 National Fine Arts Centre, Thimphu, Bhutan

Apprenticeship course for Traditional Art and Crafts

1966-1975 Thimphu Public School, Thimphu, Bhutan

AWARDS AND GRANTS

2011 Recipient of the RUBIN Fellowship Award

2010 Award of the National Order of Merit, GOLD MEDAL by His Majesty

The King of Bhutan for outstanding contribution in arts and

voluntary services for the children and young people of Bhutan

2008 Certificate of Recognition for outstanding contribution towards

the promotion of intellectual property in the field of contemporary art/design

2008 Certificate of Appreciation for the contribution towards the

42 nd Smithsonian Folk Life Festival

2007 Grant to participate in the IVProgram of the USA

Department of States (Promoting Tolerance through Arts)

2006 The Artist of the Year award, IP, MoTI, Thimphu

1991 ODA grant to study Arts Degree Course in the UK

1990 Runners up for Children’s Book Illustration, ACCU, Japan

1976 RGoB grants to study art/craft at the Fine Art Centre

1975 The Young Artist of the Year award, YHS, Bhutan

EXHIBITIONS AND SHOWS

2020 Group virtual exhibition/auction for National Covid-19 fund

2019 Indonesia Bhutan art exchange group exhibition in Bali

2019 Bhutan Indonesia art exchange group exhibition

2019 “Happy Brush” group exhibition for The Art Endowment fund

2019 Group show for Art of Giving VAST fundraising exhibition

2019 “Lingering in Gold” 2 nd Solo Exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan

2018 Group Exhibtion for the 1 st International Art Festival, Nepal

2018 “Colour of Love” Exhibition with Singapore Artists, Thimphu

2017 “Aakaar” NWCC, Thimphu, Bhutan

2017 17th Asian Art Biennale, Bangladesh

2017 “Pattern of Happiness” Group Exhibition, Thimphu

2017 “Voice of Thunder Dragon” New York, USA

2016 SAARC Art Camp, Thimphu, Bhutan

2016 “Art Siddharth” NWCC, Thimphu

2015 5th International Painting Exhibition in Katmandu, Nepal

2015 Art of giving Night an exhibition to raise fund for Nepal

2014 Painting exhibition on Bhutan “Impression of Happiness” Singapore

2014 100 years of Camlin in India an exhibition in Jangir Mumbai, India

2014 Special Exhibition “Hearts of Himalaya” Thimphu, Bhutan

2014 MIAF, an Asian Art Festival in Seoul, South Korea

2013 3rd SARRC Painters Camp, Maldives

2013 15 th Asian Art Biennale, Bangladesh

2012 “Debdhara” Indo Bhutan Painters Camp, Thimphu

2012 Art of Giving Night, VAST fund raising show for the Make Wish 3

2012 Art of Giving Art show for Wangdue Dzong reconstruction

2011 Art from Bhutan & Mongolia, Vermont Art Residency Show, USA

2011 The Colour of Prayers, 1St Solo Exhibition, Thimphu, Bhutan

2011 Bangladesh Bhutan Art Interaction Exhibition, Thimphu

2011 5th Exhibition of New Expression of Asian Art, Thailand

2010 Young zoom on Garbage an Art Festival, Thimphu

2010 VAST Studio/Gallery Opening, Thimphu

2010 Art of giving night VAST fund raising exhibition, Thimphu

2010 Art and culture show in Dhaka for 103rd National Day

2010 VAST Bhutan Spring Exhibition

2009 The Dragon Mania 101 VAST Annual Art Festival

2009 The Thai-Bhutan artistic Connection 1St. Exhibition

2008 The 42nd Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, USA

2008 Painting exhibition in celebration of 100yrs. Monarchy

2007 7X7 exhibition on contemporary Art, Thimphu

2007 Light Sound Exhibition at VAST Studio

2006 100th VAST Annual Exhibition, Thimphu

2006 3rd New Expression of Asian Art in KL, Malaysia

2006 12th Asian Art Biennale, Dhaka, Bangladesh

2005 3rd Asian Art Triennial, Fukuoka, Japan

2005 100th VAST Annual Exhibition, Thimphu

2004 99th VAST Annual Art Show, Thimphu, Bhutan

2004 Group exhibition on Bhutanese Contemporary Art

2004 Group Exhibition “Bhutan- an act of offering” Dhaka

2004 11th Asian Art Biennale, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka

2003 Permanent exhibition at the visitor centre, BWS

2003 Group exhibition ‘Art for Earth’, Dhaka

2002 Group exhibition ‘Art Now’, Vast Studio

2001 Organized and participated in VAST Annual Exhibition

2000 VAST studio opening exhibition, Thimphu

1999 Group Exhibition by Bhutanese Contemporary Artists

1999 Group exhibition “Nature as Artwork” in Netherlands

1999 Art show at the 1st Crane Festival, Phobjikha, Bhutan

1998 Art show at the 2nd Crane Festival, Phobjikha, Bhutan1997 Group exhibition on

Bhutanese Contemporary Art/Music

WORK EXPERIENCE

Designed and organized the first Winter Art Camp Exchange Program for 60 young artists from

Bhutan and Bangladesh

Planned, designed and executed the UN 50th Anniversary Photo Exhibition in Thimphu, Bhutan

Illustrated three School Maintenance Manual for Education Department

Worked as a consultant with World Wildlife Fund, Bhutan Programme, in planning, designing

and executing interpretive displays for a permanent exhibition at the Nature Study Centre, khebethang, Phobjikha

Worked as Managing Editor, Project Co-coordinator and Illustrator for the book (The Natural

World of Bhutan) sponsored by WWF Bhutan Program

Art Director for Bhutan Pavilion at Expo 2000 Hanover, Germany

Concept development of interactive displays for the Information Centers for Bomdeling and

Tromshingla National Parks

Concept design to the final postproduction of a permanent exhibition at the visitor centre,

Bomdeling Wildlife Sanctuary, Trashiyangtsi, Bhutan

Co illustrated the book by Queen of Bhutan, Treasures of the Thunder Dragon, a portrait of Bhutan

Design and implemented 3D map of Bhutan indicating protected, Biological Corridors and Eco

System, project funded by WWF Bhutan Program

Concept development and design for campsites, information booths and signage for heritage

and cultural sites. A Community Tourism Trail in Trongsa

Conducted a week long Visual Art Training Workshop for the Juvenile Delinquents at the Youth

Development Rehabilitation Centre, Tsimasham

Conducted regular voluntary Visual Art Classes at REWA (Rehabilitation Centre for Alcoholics and Drug Addicts), Thimphu

Conducting regular voluntary weekend Visual Art Classes and art counseling for school

going/out of school youth in Thimphu, Bhutan

1995-2012: Working as a freelance artist/designer/art & Communication Instructor, founder of VAST Bhutan and tutoring 100 young artists in and around Thimphu, Bhutan

1982-1995: Worked as Designer/Artist/low cost media Production Manager and Trainer of Trainers in Communication Design in Development Support Communication Division,

Department of Information and Broadcasting and volunteered to teach art in 3 schools in Thimphu

Founded VAST Bhutan with 3 other volunteers/started the weekend art classes

Voluntary work for three months in native village (Kabjisa) as Labor Supervisor for

construction of irrigation channels

Conducted a 10 day course on Basic Design and Printing for the National Institute of Education,

Bhutan