IMU shows Mongolian art

The Indiana Memorial Union Gallery is a quiet place to study, meet with classmates and enjoy various works of art. This month, two Mongolian artists are displaying their work there. Utilizing bold lines and vibrant colors, this husband-and-wife team portrays different aspects of Mongolian culture in their works.\nMunkhtsetseg-Anar "Mugi" Jakhaajav was born and lives in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Her works are portraits of Mongolian women in traditional dress with elaborate hair-dos. The colors are bold and her works have strong focal point lines. \n"When I paint the hair of women, I feel the lines and movement of the Gobi sands," Jakhaajav said.\nJakhaajav's husband, Erdenebayar "Bayar" Monkhor, also hails from Ulaanbaatar. His work focuses on the horse, which he said is the most important animal to traditional Mongolian life. \n"I paint portraits of horses. The energy of the horse is expressed in the red color I use. I frame my painting through the door of a ger (traditional Mongolian home)," Monkhor said.\nGetting their artwork to America from Ulaanbaatar was not an easy task.\n"Mugi and Bayar hand-carried their art here from Mongolia," said Susie Drost, treasurer of the Mongolia Society at IU. \nDrost said it is fortunate that Jakhaajav and Monkhor did this instead of shipping their work. When Drost planned the Mongolian Festival in September, she arranged for the arrival of the artists and their work. Much of the artwork was shipped to America. Unfortunately, due to complications and miscommunications, the shipped items were held up by American customs at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport for eight days.\nSince the laws dealing with customs are complicated, Drost had to hire a customs broker. Fortunately, all items for sale, along with many pieces of art, arrived in Bloomington just in time for their various uses.\nThrough hard work and fund-raising by Drost, the Mongolia Society sponsored Jakhaajav and Monkhor's visit to America.\nIn addition to the exhibit at the IMUG, the oil paintings of Mongolian artist Chinzorig Sumiya are on display at the Mathers Museum. Unlike Jakhaajav and Monkhor, Sumiya was not allowed to leave Mongolia to be a part of this exhibit. There will be a reception for Sumiya's work at 6 p.m. Friday at the Mathers Museum, located at 416 N. Indiana Ave.\nJakhaajav and Monkhor will answer questions and talk at a reception for their artwork from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the IMUG. Food and beverages will be served. \n-- Contact staff writer Maurina Paradise at paradise@indiana.edu.