Queen Jetsun Pema Graced Opening of Her Expression Festival at VAST Bhutan
Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema inaugurated the Her Expression Festival and Volume IX exhibition at VAST Bhutan Gallery, featuring 104 artworks by 73 women artists and a month-long programme of creative events.
On 4 June 2026, Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema graced the inauguration of the Her Expression Festival and Her Expression Vol. IX at VAST Bhutan Gallery, officially opening an expanded celebration of women’s creativity and artistic expression in Bhutan.
Her Majesty viewed the artworks featured in this year’s exhibition, which brings together contributions from 73 women artists under the theme Untangled.
Celebrating Women Through Art
This year’s edition of Her Expression showcases 104 artworks created by women and girls from diverse backgrounds and age groups across Bhutan.
Among the participants are artists as young as six years old, highlighting the exhibition’s commitment to providing an inclusive platform for creative expression. The exhibition brings together both emerging and established artists, representing different experiences, perspectives, and artistic styles.
A Platform Established in 2014
Her Expression was established in 2014 as a platform dedicated to supporting and showcasing the work of women artists in Bhutan.
The initiative has been dedicated to Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema in recognition of Her Majesty’s continued support and patronage of the arts. Over the years, the exhibition has grown into an important annual event that provides visibility and opportunities for women working in the creative sector.
Expanded Into a Month-Long Festival
In honour of Her Majesty’s 36th Birth Anniversary, this year’s edition has expanded beyond the exhibition format into a month-long festival.
The festival programme includes workshops, talks, demonstrations, and collaborative activities led by women. Organisers say the expanded format is intended to create more opportunities for learning, dialogue, and creative exchange among artists and the wider public.
Part of Lungta Art Festival 2026
Her Expression Vol. IX forms part of the year-long Lungta Art Festival 2026 organised by VAST Bhutan.
The festival is dedicated to the Lungta, or Windhorse, a significant cultural symbol in Bhutanese tradition. The 2026 edition is being held to coincide with the Year of the Horse.
The exhibition at VAST Bhutan Gallery will remain open until 4 July 2026.
Supporting Women Artisans and Creative Entrepreneurs
Alongside the exhibition, the festival also features art stalls and craft demonstrations at Tarayana Park.
The event provides a platform for Bhutanese women artists, artisans, and creative entrepreneurs to showcase their work directly to visitors. The activities offer opportunities for public engagement while highlighting the diversity of Bhutan’s creative industries.
The expansion of Her Expression into a month-long festival marks a significant development for the initiative, creating additional space for artistic exchange, community participation, and the promotion of women’s contributions to Bhutan’s cultural landscape.
As the exhibition and festival continue throughout June and early July, visitors will have the opportunity to engage with a wide range of artworks, demonstrations, and creative activities led by women from across the country.
