Bhutanese multidisciplinary artist Pem Lham has been named the recipient of the 2026 Rubin Museum Himalayan Art Prize, marking an important moment for Bhutan’s growing contemporary art movement. The award was presented by Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen during a ceremony at VAST Bhutan.
The annual prize, instituted in 2024, recognises emerging and mid-career artists whose contemporary practices engage with the artistic traditions, techniques and cultural heritage of the Himalayan region. Carrying an unrestricted cash award of USD 30,000, it is intended both to acknowledge an artist’s existing body of work and provide support for the development of future projects.
Recipients are chosen by an international jury of art experts in collaboration with representatives of the Rubin Museum.
At the ceremony, Her Majesty acknowledged the Rubin Museum’s efforts to introduce Himalayan art and culture to audiences around the world, while also creating greater visibility for contemporary artistic practices emerging from the region.
Her Majesty also emphasised the need to safeguard Bhutan’s rich artistic traditions while allowing contemporary artists the freedom to experiment and develop new modes of expression. She commended VAST Bhutan for providing an environment in which Bhutanese artists can explore ideas and cultivate distinctive artistic voices.
Pem Lham works primarily across painting and installation, addressing themes including identity, gender, culture and personal experience. Her work has been presented both within Bhutan and abroad, with exhibitions in countries including India, Nepal, Switzerland and Belgium.
In 2025, she presented her first solo exhibition, Molay Moley, in Thimphu, further establishing her presence within Bhutan’s evolving contemporary art landscape.
Her selection for the 2026 prize also represents a broader recognition of the increasing international presence of Bhutanese contemporary art. As artists from the country engage with inherited traditions while responding to present-day social and cultural questions, their work is increasingly finding a place within wider global conversations on contemporary art.
The award ceremony was jointly organised by VAST Bhutan and the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art.
VAST Bhutan, a non-profit civil society organisation, has played a significant role in nurturing contemporary art in Bhutan, particularly through its work with young and emerging artists. The Rubin Museum, meanwhile, is an international institution focused on Himalayan art and on sharing the artistic traditions and ideas of the region with audiences worldwide.
Pem Lham’s recognition adds another chapter to this expanding international engagement, highlighting how Bhutan’s contemporary artists are drawing upon their cultural inheritance while developing practices that speak to experiences and questions extending well beyond the Himalayas.
