Lineages by Tsherin Sherpa - Where Heritage and Modernity Converge at ICIA, Mumbai

Mumbai, November 3, 2025: The Institute of Contemporary Indian Art (ICIA), powered by AstaGuru, proudly unveils Lineages – the first-ever solo exhibition in India by the internationally celebrated Tibetan contemporary artist Tsherin Sherpa. On view from 6th to 14th November 2025 at ICIA Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai, the exhibition marks a significant moment in India's contemporary art landscape.

A Journey Between Worlds

Born in Kathmandu in 1968, Tsherin Sherpa lives and works between Nepal and California. Trained under his father, Master Urgen Dorje, in the sacred art of Tibetan thangka painting, Sherpa began his artistic journey through devotion and discipline. Over time, his practice evolved, transforming tradition into a dynamic visual language that bridges spirituality, modernity, and identity.

Lineages showcases this unique dialogue between the classical and the contemporary. Through a striking fusion of Tibetan Buddhist iconography, tantric symbolism, global pop culture, and modern visual aesthetics, Sherpa's works meditate on the complexities of migration, memory, and cultural inheritance.

Tradition Reimagined

In Lineages, sacred meets secular. Sherpa's art reflects the shifting boundaries of belief and belonging, celebrating the resilience of ritual and craftsmanship in a rapidly globalising world. His works, rich in symbolism yet grounded in modern sensibility, explore how ancient traditions evolve without losing their essence.

Highlights include:

• This is not a Rorschach Test (2022): A carpet that forms a key part of Sherpa's recent explorations into form and perception.
• Hawk (2019–2020): Featured in his retrospective Spirits at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
• Luxation 2 (2016): From the Venice Biennale series now part of major international collections.

The Artist Speaks

"This exhibition emerged from conversations about artistic connections across South Asia. It represents a new way of engaging with the Indian art landscape, offering an overview of my practice rather than the individual works that have entered collections here. It brings together threads of inquiry from the past decade, woven through mediums, motifs, and collaborations." - Tsherin Sherpa.

Curatorial Vision

"It is an honour to present this comprehensive, though condensed, overview of Tsherin Sherpa's practice. My first encounter with his Himalayan-inspired works in Hong Kong was unforgettable. The aesthetic resonance between Nepal and India, their shared geographies, rituals, and spiritual vocabularies, makes this exhibition deeply meaningful. Lineages embodies a model of collaboration that feels vital in today's evolving art ecosystem."

Larissa Guimaraes, Associate Director at AstaGuru.

Global Recognition

Sherpa's works are part of prestigious collections worldwide, including the Victoria & Albert Museum (London), Rubin Museum of Art (New York), Queensland Art Gallery (Brisbane), Asian Art Museum (San Francisco), Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Richmond), and the World Museum (Liverpool). Much like the world's top art galleries, these institutions recognize the significance of contemporary artists who bridge cultural traditions.

Where Culture and Contemporary Thought Meet

Lineages is more than an exhibition, it is a conversation between eras, mediums, and identities. It invites Indian audiences to experience how a traditional Himalayan art form can evolve into a global voice of reflection, resilience, and renewal. Similar to other transformative exhibitions in Mumbai, this show demonstrates how contemporary Indian art continues to evolve.

For those interested in exploring more contemporary Indian art, AstaGuru's Beyond Bold auction and the Modern Odyssey auction showcase provide excellent contexts for understanding the vibrant contemporary art scene in India. Additionally, the evolution of Indian art demonstrates how traditional forms continue to inspire modern artists like Sherpa.

This exhibition also resonates with the global celebration of Asian art, reinforcing Mumbai's position as a cultural hub. Art enthusiasts who appreciate exhibitions showcasing Indian artists will find Lineages particularly compelling.

Exhibition Details:

Venue: ICIA Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai
Dates: 6th - 14th November 2025
For more information, visit: icia.in