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Nortse, “Group portrait,” 2007.

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FOR 2-8

‘SELF PORTRAITS’ OPENS FEB 14 AT ROSSI & ROSSI IN LONDON w/1 cut

AVV/LSB SET 2/1 #727399

LONDON — Rossi and Rossi will present recent work by the Tibetan artist Norbu Tsering, known as Nortse, in its gallery at 16 Clifford Street, Mayfair, Thursday, February 14, to Saturday, March 22.

In recent years Fabio Rossi has traveled extensively in Tibet and China and met many young Tibetan artists whose work shows fusion of traditional Tibetan culture and contemporary Western art. “Self-Portraits: State of Unbalance” will be the first in a series of solo exhibitions at the gallery.

Nortse was born in Lhasa in 1963, and from 1980 to 1991 studied art at various schools, including Tibet University in Lhasa, the Central Arts Academy in Beijing and the art academies in Guangzhou and Tainjing. His early artistic expression as a stage designer coupled with his academician’s training can be seen in his mixed media works.

Included in his oeuvre are profound photographic statements as well as portraits in oil on canvas. His work deals with issues that are as relevant to London as Lhasa: global warming, environmental degradation, overpopulation, alcoholism among the young and the desire to form one’s own identity in a world of mass media and the erosion of culture and tradition.

The exhibition comprises some 14 new works. Nortse mixes traditional realistic oil painting techniques with contemporary photography, a style which he classifies as “new painting.” He is one of the few Tibetan artists venturing into multimedia.

Several works in the exhibition depict figures with bandaged faces, three of which are titled “The State I am in” while another, more optimistic image, titled “Extrication,” depicts a half-length figure with forearms bound together but the hands opening to release a cloud of butterflies.

For additional information, +44 (0) 20 7734 6487 or www.rossirossi.com.