TASHI DEKI | Thimphu
From Miami’s towering murals to the Himalayan landscapes of Bhutan, internationally recognised artist Rey Jaffet is bringing his distinctive artistic perspective to Paro, where contemporary art will meet the country’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
Jaffet will visit Bhutan from October 28 to November 10, 2026, with support from Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary through its Artists in Residence programme. His visit will coincide with the Asia Visionary Summit, scheduled at Paro Dzong from November 6 to 8, where he has been invited to deliver a lecture.
Known for working across painting, sculpture, large-scale murals and immersive installations, Jaffet explores themes of movement, energy, consciousness and humanity’s interconnectedness. His work combines materials such as oil and acrylic paints, aerosol, stainless steel, light and mixed media to create artistic expressions that extend beyond conventional paintings and sculptures.
His artistic journey has included some ambitious public projects. Jaffet has participated in Art Basel Miami since 2011 and created Miami’s tallest mural in 2015. In 2018, he produced Declaration of Hope, a 14-storey mural that became one of his notable large-scale works.
His practice has also taken him beyond the United States. In 2019, he created Om Mani Padme Hum, a large-scale mural in Langtang, Nepal, bringing his work to a Himalayan setting. Since 2024, his monumental sculptures, known as the Source Spirits, have been touring.
His upcoming visit offers an opportunity to bring this international artistic experience into conversation with Bhutan’s living traditions, spiritual heritage and natural surroundings. However, the sanctuary has not announced any specific artwork or exhibition that Jaffet will create or present during his stay.
The visit is being supported by Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary as part of its efforts to connect international creative practitioners with guests and encourage cultural exchange through its residency programme.
The sanctuary said the programme reflects its wider philosophy of wellbeing, mindfulness and meaningful connection. By welcoming artists whose work encourages reflection and new perspectives, it aims to create opportunities for guests to interact with creative practitioners and experience different approaches to art and creativity.
The timing of Jaffet’s visit also brings him to Bhutan during the Asia Visionary Summit, where his scheduled lecture at Paro Dzong will form part of his engagement with the country. The summit will take place from November 6 to 8.
Situated in Neyphu Valley near Paro, Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary is a wellness-inclusive five-star retreat that combines personalised wellness programmes with Bhutanese traditional medicine, wellness treatments and culinary experiences featuring seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The sanctuary has 24 rooms overlooking the valley.
Through the residency, the sanctuary aims to bring together creativity, wellbeing and cross-cultural exchange in Bhutan’s Himalayan setting.
For Jaffet, whose work ranges from large urban murals to monumental sculptures, the visit places his contemporary artistic practice within a country where cultural traditions and spiritual values remain closely connected to everyday life
