Painter Badju Sham (54 years old), of Gond descent, an indigenous tribe from central India, is holding his second exhibition at the dining hall of Toji Temple, a World Heritage Site in Minami Ward, Kyoto. Building on the success of his previous exhibition two years ago, he is enthusiastic about showing his meticulous expressions, inspired by a yearning for nature, in a more in-depth way.
The Gond people have a deep reverence for nature and have always cherished forests and living creatures. Badju Sham's paintings, which weave Gond traditions with a modern sensibility, have been highly praised both in Japan and abroad.
His first solo exhibition at Toji Temple in 2023 attracted 10,000 visitors over 19 days. Feeling a positive response from viewers "trying to understand the world of his paintings," he has held another exhibition to further deepen his understanding of the world.
His works are richly colored, layering forests, animals, and birds. One work contrasts the straight bamboo forests he saw in Sagano, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, with the tangled bamboo of India, reflecting the nature of human relationships in each country. "I think the love of nature is something that Japanese people share," he says.
Until October 28th (open every day during the exhibition period). Free admission.
