A pause to the usual programming…
Ngari Rinpoche, HE Tendzin Choegyal la 🫶TC
1946-2026
This man was my world.
He was a trickster. He liked to dare me into just enough trouble, never too much and we’d giggle about it later. He believed in my capabilities before I did
Last night I reread all correspondence we exchanged over the last 15+ years. He steadied me against all obstacles
Today, absurdly, I am making a literal cheese mountain for tomorrow’s exhibition closing, I honestly think precious TC would find that a completely reasonable pursuit: 
Make a mountain. Offer it. Keep going
He taught me to question absolutely everything. Like a scientist. He was formidable in debate, the smartest of the smarts, the cheekiest of the cheeky, able to communicate a full treatise with a single glance
We discussed Tasmania at length. It feels fitting that I am here
He is gone, and I am not entirely sure what to do
He died (left his body) on the day of Jon’s funeral. During the service I could almost hear him whispering. I tried to send that strength toward Jon’s family instead. I wish I could have had TC and Jon in a room together. I hope they are in the ‘somewhere’ comparing notes

The life, and therefore the death of precious ones must be marked. So I am doing that
He was polarising. Before we met, I was warned that we wouldn’t get along. But meeting him felt like recognising someone I had known for aeons. We were friends from the first glare that transformed to a smile

He once suggested I might make a good monastic. I declined, the first, perhaps only time I went against his wishes. Perhaps instead I’ve become a wandering mendicant of another kind. I think he accepted that substitution
TC was integrity incarnate. He was serious. He was funny. He could cut through drama with a joke, a smile, or an impeccably timed scold
He wore many hats in his time notably as a public servant who devoted his life to the Tibetan cause, refugee children, advocated the principles of compassion balanced with wisdom… human rights
Return quickly, Rinpoche
We need you more than ever
_
I don’t have access to my photos here…This small selection (more on instagram)
📸Rusty Stewart, Tobi Wilkinson, DLIA, OHHDL, Heinrich Harrer
