Zayasaikhan Sambuu
May 4 – June 17, 2023

532 Gallery Thomas Jaeckel presents Zayasaikhan Sambuu, Mothers of Invention, his first solo exhibition in New York.

The exhibition features a recent series of acrylic paintings, which Zaya has described as “paintings for the Mongolian people” (Levin, 61). A current theme is that of questioning Mongolian identity. An identity that had been suppressed for a large part of Mongolia’s history by its intrusive neighbors, China and the Soviet Union. After 12 years of nomadic life, the artist returned to Ulaanbaatar, where he had received training in the traditional Mongolian style of painting, Mongol Zurag, which translates to “Mongolian Picture.” This Mongolian style is rooted in “Buddhist iconographic paintings, with an emphasis on finely detailed lines, traditional motifs, and subjects driven from history and nomadic cultures of Central Asia,” a tradition instrumental in maintaining cultural identity during the twentieth century period of socialism.

Though he draws influence from the ideals of Mongol Zurag, the artist does not identify solely with this niche category. He has created his own style, combining Mongolian traditional painting with contemporary international art forms.

For more information or interview with the Artist, please e-mail info@532gallery.com