In 1995, the Dalai Lama named a six-year-old Tibetan boy the tenth reincarnation of the Panchen Lama. As a result, this child became the second-highest member of this Buddhist sect. As incarnation of the great Amitabha Buddha, the Panchen lama is endowed with the responsibility of selecting the next Dalai Lama. Three days after the Dalai Lama’s announcement, Chinese authorities took into “protective custody” the child and his parents, and none of them have since been seen. In addition, they installed in this child’s place their own choice, and declared him to be the rightful next Panchen Lama.
In reaction to this troubling event, Tavares Strachan created the light box The Constellation Series: Panchen Lama. The facial likeness of the Panchen Lama as a child, prior to his disappearance, is composed out of reproductions of over 3000 clippings and illustrations. These were gathered by the artist during his investigatory journey to Dharamshala of India, seat of Tibetan government in exile. Cultural and ethnic iconographies of Tibet as well as scenes of suffering and violence describing the Tibetan struggle are subjects of the collected images.
