A colorful painting of the birth of the Buddha with purple bands on both sides.
2025 Apr 17 Thu
Gateway to Himalayan Art, Art Making
Himalayan Stories

Thursday, April 17 | 6–8 pm | Free
An Evening of Community Conversation, Food, and Art Making!

Are you curious about the objects on view in Gateway to Himalayan Art and want to learn more? Dive deeper and join community members at Himalayan Stories, a special event at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Art will meet storytelling as members of the community share their personal connections to objects in Gateway to Himalayan Art.

From colorful paintings to sacred sculptures, these artworks from another part of the world hold stories and meanings that may resonate with your own life. Come for the art, stay for the conversation, and leave with a fresh perspective.

Who Will You Meet?
 

A photo of Xi Zhang's face
Xi Zhang

Xi Zhang’s dreamlike paintings explore psychological weight, blending Chinese landscape traditions with Abstract Expressionist techniques. Born in Kaifeng, China, he earned his MFA in Colorado and has exhibited internationally, with features on CNN and NPR. Zhang lives and works in Salt Lake City. You can see more of his work here.

A photo of Winston Kyan's face.
Winston Kyan

Winston Kyan holds a BA in Comparative Literature from Brown University and an MA and PhD in Art History from the University of Chicago. He has taught at Macalester College and the University of Utah, where he is currently Associate Professor of Art History. His articles and essays have appeared in Art Bulletin, Amerasia Journal, Art Journal Open, Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art, and numerous edited volumes. He is currently working on two book projects: one on the intersections of filial piety and Buddhist art in medieval China, and the other on Asian American Buddhist visual culture.

This program will feature Luke Kelly, Associate Curator of Collections, sharing insights on one of his favorite works from the exhibition. Additionally, a member of the Utah Tibetan community will be in the galleries to discuss a piece that holds personal significance for them.

The exhibition Gateway to Himalayan Art is organized and provided by the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art.   

A graphic text logo in blue that says "Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art"

Programming Sponsor:

Thomas and Mary S. McCarthey

Community Partner:

Utah Tibetan Association

Logos for the Utah Tibetan Association and the Salt Lake City Library.
Image: Birth of the Buddha, from a set of the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha, after a carved woodblock composition attributed to Purbu Tsering of Chamdo (active ca. late 19th century), Tibet, 20th century, pigments on cloth, Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation, F1997.42.1 (HAR 572)