Conceptio

In 2010, New York’s Eli Wilner & Company were commissioned to custom-make a frame for Sangay Nagay, a stunning tapestry woven by Karchung with the Bhutanese Textile Project (BTP). Having closely studied Bhutan’s architectural history, such as its Himalayan doorways, window frames, and gateways, the craftsmen at the company designed a frame comprising branched spiral motifs in the corners, the stylized face of a dragon with radiating floral patterns in the centers, and sculptural embellishments at the inner and outer edges. To best complement and enhance the intricacy and complexity of the work of art, the entire frame was gilded in a lustrous matte yet slightly patinated gold.

A work of incredible detail and supreme craftsmanship, Sangay Nagay represents a fine specimen of a Bhutanese textile that belongs to the contemporary. Karchung builds upon his training in and mastering of traditional compositions, and innovates and arrives at a modern adaptation, replete with beloved and sacred motifs, patterns, figures, and symbols that have passed on through generations.