The Wish-Fulfilling Tree is an installation series initiated in 2016 by Nepalese-American contemporary artist Tsherin Sherpa. Marking a pivotal moment in his artistic trajectory, the series signifies his transition from painting toward a three-dimensional, spatial mode of expression. Deeply embedded in Himalayan cultural traditions while engaging with contemporary social realities, the work reflects the artist’s emotional response to post-earthquake reconstruction, as well as his sustained commitment to the preservation and continuation of cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship. Through an innovative contemporary visual language, Wish-Fulfilling Tree opens a new chapter in Sherpa’s interdisciplinary practice.
The installation is composed of a seven-tiered mandala structure crafted in repoussé copper—a traditional hammering technique that creates raised relief forms. Each element is meticulously handmade in collaboration with master artisans in Nepal, ensuring the transmission of time-honored techniques. Within a contemporary art context, the work reinterprets ancient Nepalese metalworking traditions, maintaining both their technical integrity and cultural significance.
The conceptual foundation of the series is rooted in the aftermath of the devastating 2015 Nepal earthquake. Upon returning from the United States, Sherpa witnessed firsthand the destruction and devastation, which became the impetus for this body of work. The base of the sculpture is constructed from fragments of everyday objects and rubble, evoking the material reality of loss while symbolizing the resilience of the Nepalese people and their collective hope for rebuilding.
At its core, Wish-Fulfilling Tree juxtaposes finely crafted copper sculpture with remnants of destruction gathered from earthquake sites. This contrast embodies the emergence of a renewed and luminous order from the ruins of catastrophe. By transforming “destruction” into “hope,” the work reconciles the tension between suffering and aspiration, while also articulating the enduring relevance of Buddhist philosophy in confronting contemporary hardship. It presents a visual and spatial meditation on resilience, regeneration, and the transformative power of faith.
The Wish-Fulfilling Tree series has been presented in numerous major international exhibitions, including the Peabody Essex Museum, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the 2023 Chiang Mai Biennale, the Rubin Museum of Art, the Second Yinchuan Biennale (2018), and the Kathmandu Triennale (2018). Each presentation situates the work within a new cultural context, fostering global engagement with Himalayan culture and contemporary art, and encouraging renewed reflection on the significance of traditional Nepalese craftsmanship in a post-disaster framework.
Notably, the inaugural work from the Wish-Fulfilling Tree series has been acquired into the permanent collection of the Rubin Museum of Art, further solidifying its importance within Sherpa’s artistic oeuvre.
As one of Nepal’s most prominent contemporary artists, Tsherin Sherpa continues to collaborate closely with traditional artisans. His practice not only preserves and promotes endangered craft techniques but also elevates the social recognition of these artisans through international platforms. Grounded in cultural depth and informed by a contemporary perspective, the Wish-Fulfilling Tree series explores themes of tradition, belief, resilience, and rebirth, establishing itself as a defining and indispensable body of work within Sherpa’s artistic practice.