Kids' APT - A collaboration

Gonkar Gyatso’s art refers to the growing popularity of the image of the Buddha and of Buddhist beliefs in many Western countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Gonkar invited children to cover pristine white Buddha statues with puffy stickers of familiar images including pets, toys, and symbols of love and happiness. By the end of the exhibition the original statues were obscured beneath the skin of glittering stickers. Gonkar Gyatso Funky Buddhas Gonkar Gyatso Tibet/United Kingdom b.1961 Funky Buddhas 2009 Plaster, ready-made stickers, MDF, vinyl / Photograph: Katie Bennett My favourite art piece was Funky Buddhas by Gonkar Gyatso because the public were able to contribute to the work. Even though there were only a handful of stickers to choose from, each Buddha looked completely different and personalised. Student, Holland Park State High School Funky Buddhas was another favourite. The pleasure was found not only in the placement of their own puffy stickers but also in the discovery of where others had placed theirs — sometimes in patterns! Parent’s response 22