As the summer recedes and the days become slightly cooler, the autumn landscape in Bhutan brings attention to the changing colours of the valleys, the details of traditional architecture and the cultural traditions that are part of everyday life.
Autumn is a season well suited to consider how a change of surroundings can influence the way we think, work and create.
This November, Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary will welcome Leven Kali, the internationally recognised singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, as part of its Artists-in-Residence program. Joining him is Rey Jaffet, an internationally recognised multidisciplinary artist whose work spans painting, sculpture, large-scale murals and immersive installations. Working across a range of materials, his practice explores movement, energy, consciousness and humanity’s interconnectedness. Their visit to Bhutan, from 28 October to 10 November, coincides with the Asia Visionary Summit in Paro, where they have both been invited to lecture.
Photographer Anna-Luisa Ballauf will accompany both artists during their residency, documenting their time in Bhutan through her photography.
This visit reflects an idea at the heart of the Sanctuary: encounters with different perspectives can enrich our understanding of the world, and cultural exchange can offer something valuable to both the visitor and the place that welcomes them.
Leven Kali’s music draws on contemporary R&B, soul and alternative influences. Alongside his own releases, he has worked across the international music industry as a songwriter and producer. His visit brings this creative perspective into a setting shaped by Bhutan’s distinctive cultural and spiritual heritage.
Rey Jaffet’s work, on the other hand, explores themes of consciousness, energy, and the connections between people. His large-scale artworks have taken him beyond the United States, including a mural in Langtang, Nepal, inspired by the Buddhist mantra Om Mani Padme Hum. His practice adds another dimension to the residency’s exploration of creativity, culture, and the ways art can invite reflection.
Bhutan is a country where tradition is very closely connected to daily life. Religious practice, architecture, local customs, and a deep relationship with the natural environment all contribute to its distinctive character. For a visiting artist, experiencing this environment is a real opportunity to find ways of seeing and understanding the world from a different perspective than the ones at home.
Some people may think that, in order to achieve creative inspiration, you need deliberate effort. It is, however, not always necessary – sometimes, it can come to you through observing, listening, and engaging with unfamiliar ideas. Having a conversation with someone from a different background, being exposed to another culture, or having time away from familiar routines are all examples of ways you can broaden your perspective.
Through our Artists-in-Residence program, we welcome international artists to experience Bhutan’s heritage, spiritual traditions, and natural surroundings, creating opportunities for creative expression and cultural understanding.
Creative work requires technical ability, but also attention, curiosity and the capacity to remain open to new ideas. Yet these qualities can be difficult to nurture when an everyday routine leaves little room to step back. Time away can give a different perspective, encourage us to notice things that would otherwise pass without much thought, and allow us to reflect.
This is relevant to anyone whose work involves ideas, decisions, or sustained concentration – not just artists!
Ties of Bhutan to the program
Bhutan is often associated with its monasteries, mountain landscapes and distinctive architecture. These are important parts of its appeal, but understanding the country also means paying attention to the less immediately visible aspects of its identity. It might involve learning about a religious site’s significance from a knowledgeable local guide, observing the customs associated with daily life or spending time in the landscape without feeling the need to move quickly to the next destination. Such encounters can give familiar sights a deeper context and reveal how culture, belief and place are connected.
The Artists-in-Residence program reflects this broader understanding of travel. It creates opportunities for international artists to engage with Bhutan beyond a purely observational visit, bringing different perspectives into conversation with the country’s cultural heritage.
For Leven Kali and Rey Jaffet, the Asia Visionary Summit provides an opportunity to share their respective creative perspectives. Their residency at the Sanctuary complements this opportunity to experience the cultural richness and contemplative atmosphere of the Neyphu Valley.