Human Values That Transcend Time: Anay Ngawang Chodak’s First Major U.S. Solo Exhibition Opens in New York City

Featuring Rubin Museum curator-led artist conversation and live music performances by Tibetan musicians Tenzin Norbu and Tenzin Choegyal

New York, NY — October 2025 — Human Values That Transcend Time, the first major solo exhibition of Tibetan contemporary artist Anay Ngawang Chodak (b. 1980), opens this October at Crossing Art in Chelsea. This milestone in Anay’s career showcases a body of work that reimagines Tibet and the Himalayas’ rich Buddhist heritage through contemporary abstraction and a global visual language.

Anay’s paintings explore timeless Buddhist values—compassion, interconnectedness, and inner human value. The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the universal pursuit of happiness and freedom from suffering, concerns that remain unchanged across time and cultures. By blending traditional Buddhist thangka painting with experimental compositions and abstraction, his art creates a bridge between sacred heritage and modern expression, offering audiences a space for contemplation, wisdom, and oneness.

“My work is a heartfelt bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary expression. By weaving timeless, universal Buddhist values with modern sensibility, I hope to awaken a deeper sense of wisdom and compassion in viewers. Each piece is a subtle invitation—a gesture of connection, encouraging us to envision a more conscious, interconnected, and compassionate world,” Anay explains.

Anay studied modern art in high school before training in the classical traditions of Newar and Tibetan Buddhist art. His lifelong admiration for ancient Indian Buddhist art—from Alchi, Newar, and Tibetan traditions—continues to inspire his practice. By weaving together influences across eras and cultures, he creates original works that express Buddhist philosophy in a contemporary visual language. A passionate admirer of modern and abstract art, Anay experiments with new forms to reimagine Buddhist art for modern audiences, while remaining rooted in devotion and lineage. 

The exhibition will be accompanied by a special program on November 1, 2025, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.

• The Art of Awakening: A Conversation with Anay Ngawang Chodak (3:00–4:30 pm), led by Elena Pakhoutova, Senior Curator at the Rubin Museum of Art, in partnership with the Tibet Fund. The artist conversation will explore how sacred Buddhist art and philosophy continue to shape modern aesthetics, culture, and society, while highlighting how Anay’s work translates ancient wisdom into a visual language for today’s world.

• Live Performance by internationally acclaimed Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal (4:45–5:45 pm), adding a dynamic musical dimension to the exploration of cultural heritage and contemporary creativity.

This exhibition is independently organized by Anay Ngawang Chodak Art Studio & Management, with generous support from the Tibet Fund. It represents a landmark moment in Anay’s U.S. career, expanding the dialogue on how Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhist art not only survives but evolves within today’s global art scene.

Exhibition Details
Title: Human Values That Transcend Time
Artist: Anay Ngawang Chodak
Dates: October 9 – November 8, 2025
Venue: Crossing Art, Chelsea, NYC
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 9, 6:00 – 8:00 pm with live Tibetan music by Tenzin Norbu

Special Program:

Saturday, November 1, 3:00 – 5:45 pm
The Art of Awakening: A Conversation with Anay Ngawang Chodak
Led by Elena Pakhoutova, Senior Curator at the Rubin Museum of Art
Followed by live Tibetan music with Tenzin Choegyal

About The Tibet Fund
Founded in 1981, The Tibet Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Tibetan identity and culture through education, health care, community development, and the arts. By supporting artists, scholars, and cultural programming, The Tibet Fund helps ensure that Tibetan heritage remains vibrant and accessible for future generations.

Media Contact: Saldon Thubten
contact@anayngawangchodak.com
+1-646-726-7191