XanaduART is pleased to present “Desertification in Art”, a collection of socially conscious works of art curated by the New Century Art association. The exhibition will be on display at the gallery through June 27, 2011.

“Desertification in Art” exhibition includes multimedia works by Enkhbat Lantuu, Amarsaikhan, Undraa Vandan, Batzorig Dugarsuren, Ariuntugs Tserenpil, Enkhbold Togmidshirev and XanaduART gallery curator Zesee Sodnomtseren. The artists seek to address the problem of desertification in Mongolia  through contemporary art and to show the bitter truth about land degradation caused by human activities.

Works exhibited are deeply rooted in the imagery of the Mongolian steppe and the everyday life of nomads – our culture, our customs, our philosophy and the Mongolian way of thinking. In doing so, the exhibition presents a mix of traditional and modern approaches to contemporary art.  The artists hope that their works will raise awareness about the environmental issues that Mongolia faces and encourage people to protect the Mother Earth.

This exhibition is organized by the New Century Art association in collaboration with XanaduART gallery, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and Ministry of Environment of Mongolia.

For more information, please contact the gallery at 976-11-310239 or e-mail info@xanaduartgallery.org.

Bazo’s recent work centers upon the idea of eternal motion and reincarnation as symbolized by the form of the circle, an essential image both in the nomadic philosophy of the Mongols and Buddhism. In this sense, the circle has multiple meanings in Bazo’s work – it is at once a representation of Mongolian history through the millennia, a personal quest for meaning as well as an artistic element full of possibilities. Thus, the artist approaches his subject in various different ways: he paints multi-colored circles on canvases, creates intricate wooden “wheels” or draws circumferences on the ground using odd archaic constructions made of logs, ropes and stones. Bazo’s circles provoke a variety of associations: from the Mongolian ger, the shamanic tambourine and the complicated symbolism of the circle in Buddhist philosophy to western land art and op art. Such different interpretations add multiple layers to Bazo’s work, which makes him one of the most talked about Mongolian artists today.

Although many artists have worked with the abstracted form of the circle, Bazo imparts a uniquely original vision to the subject matter through his masterful use of color and composition. According to the artist, the circle is a perfect shape, which compels him to seek its imperfections by either deforming its perfect form or creating an illusion of discontinuity within it. Sometimes the form of the circle is nearly unrecognizable as the shape is dissipated by a few forceful strokes of the brush. In some of his work, Bazo lets his paint drip on the canvases, endowing the rigid structure of his work with a spontaneous quality. Often his paintings have an eerie sense of deepness that draws the viewer into the abyss; however, when the artist plays with bright pink and neon green paint, his work becomes endearingly cheerful. Thus, the dialogue is brought full circle as these techniques further emphasize the philosophical implications of Bazo’s work. 

Born in 1979, Bazo graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia with a painting degree in 2004. Bazo has exhibited extensively both in Mongolia and abroad – his work has been shown in numerous group exhibitions and several solo shows, including two one-man exhibitions at XanaduART gallery and one solo show at the Globe gallery in St. Petersburg, Russia.

In 2005, Bazo won the “Best Work of Art by an Emerging Artist” prize awarded by the Union of Mongolian Artists. His work is held in the permanent collection of the Mongolian Museum of Modern Art as well as numerous private collections.

RECENT WORKS

Circle paintings:

Abstract works:

Installation views:

1×2 REPETITION 2×1

March 6 – March 25, 2009
Opening reception: March 6, 2009 at 5 p.m.

Batzorig Dugarsuren, better known by the name Bazo, is a fitting representative of the new generation of Mongolian artists to rise to prominence in the last few years. Although he is only 30 years old, Bazo has extensively exhibited both in Mongolia and abroad. In fact, he is one of the few Mongolian artists, who have had successful international gallery shows, having exhibited at an art gallery in St. Petersburg, Russia. This Friday, March 6th, a solo exhibition by the artist will be unveiled at XanaduART gallery.

Bazo’s later work centers upon the idea of eternal motion and reincarnation as symbolized by the form of the circle, an essential image both in the nomadic philosophy of Mongols and Buddhism. In this sense, the circle has multiple meanings in Bazo’s work – it is at once a representation of Mongolian history through the millennia, a personal quest for meaning as well as an artistic element full of possibilities. The artist approaches his subject in many different ways: he paints multi-colored circles on canvases, creates intricate wooden “wheels” or draws circumferences on the ground using odd archaic constructions made of logs, ropes and stones. Bazo’s circles provoke a variety of associations: from the Mongolian ger, the shamanic tambourine and the complicated symbolism of the circle in Buddhist philosophy to western land art and op art.

Although many artists have worked with the abstracted form of the circle, Bazo imparts a uniquely original vision to the subject matter through his masterful use of color and composition. According to the artist, the circle is a perfect shape, which compels him to seek its imperfections by either deforming its perfect form or creating an illusion of discontinuity within it. In some paintings, the form of the circle is nearly unrecognizable – its edges become blurred as the shape is dissipated by a few forceful strokes of the brush. Bazo often lets his paint drip on the canvases, which endows the rigid structure of his work with a spontaneous quality. Often his paintings have an eerie sense of deepness that draws the viewer into the abyss; however, when the artist plays with bright pink and neon green paint, his work becomes quite cheerful.   

Born in 1979, Bazo graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia with a painting degree in 2004. “1×2 REPETITION 2×1” is his third solo exhibition.

Please contact the gallery at 976-11-310239 (Mongolian) or e-mail info@xanaduartgallery.org (English) for more information regarding this exhibition.

ARKHANGAI LANDSCAPES

November 15 – December 1, 2008
Opening reception: November 15, 2008 at 3 p.m.

XanaduART gallery is pleased to present a collection of landscapes inspired by the beautiful Arkhangai, Mongolia. In August, 2008 XanaduART gallery artists traveled to Arkhangai, visiting its many scenic sites, including the White lake of Terkh (Terhiin tsagaan nuur), Horgo mountain (an extinct volcano) as well as Arkhangai’s many other places of interest. Their impressions are hereby presented to the public.

The exhibition brings together works by Yo.Dalkh-ochir, S.Mashbat, D.Batzorig, T.Enkhbold, Z.Osokhbayar, B.Badral, B.Orkhontuul, D.Batkholboo, Ts.Odgerel and B.Ganbaatar. Given the artists’ background, the works presented greatly differ from the traditional Mongolian landscape school. While traditional landscapes tend to focus on the serenity of the Mongolian steppe, T.Enkhbold’s quasi-abstract expressionist paintings are full of energy and intensity. On the other hand, Z.Osokhbayar’s almost monochrome paintings impart an eerie sense of calmness in depicting the Horgo mountain surrounded by the lake.

Please contact the gallery at 976-11-310239 (Mongolian) or e-mail info@xanaduartgallery.org (English) for more information regarding this exhibition.

SELECTED WORKS EXHIBITED

September 29 – October 10, 2006
Opening reception: September 29, 2006 at 5 p.m

XanaduART gallery is pleased to present a joint exhibition by brothers Batzorig Dugarsuren and Batkholboo Dugarsuren entitled “Line”. The exhibition showcases abstract paintings by Batzorig and sculptures by Batkholboo. Both artists have graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts, Ulaanbaatar.

In his works “Red cross”, “Exodus” and “Puzzle”, Batzorig has highlighted the traditional symbolism of wooden puzzles, an important part of nomadic way of thinking. The use of such traditional symbols is contrasted with Batzorig’s highly abstract style. In comparison, Batkholboo also deals with traditional motifs in his work: he chose to display an abstract sculpture entitled “Shaman” as well as various sculptures of horses and people in traditional clothing. Thus, the two artists have created a fusion of tradition and modernity, a “Line” connecting the old and the new.

For more information about this exhibition please call XanaduART gallery at 976-11-310239 (Mongolian) or e-mail info@xanaduartgallery.org (English).

SELECTED WORKS EXHIBITED