Creativity Inspired by Place
Inspired by the traditional Mongolian avdar, a handcrafted wooden chest used by nomadic families to safeguard treasured possessions, the Avdar Artist Residency celebrates one of Mongolia’s greatest cultural treasures: its artists.
Developed in partnership with the Arts Council of Mongolia, the residency welcomes contemporary Mongolian artists to Three Camel Lodge, where they create new work inspired by the landscapes, traditions, and communities of the Gobi. Through workshops, conversations, and exhibitions, the program creates meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange while supporting Mongolia’s evolving artistic community.
Meet the Inaugural Cohort
The inaugural Avdar Artist Residency brings together five accomplished Mongolian artists working across painting, sculpture, printmaking, textiles, and mixed media. Selected through an open call in partnership with the Arts Council of Mongolia, each artist will spend time at Three Camel Lodge creating new work inspired by the Gobi while sharing their creative process with guests through workshops, demonstrations, and conversations.
B. Tserendejid
A multidisciplinary artist whose paintings and ceramic sculptures draw inspiration from Mongolian shamanic and Buddhist traditions. Her residency explores the spiritual relationship between people and landscape through watercolor, ceramics, and fabric installations.
T. Soyol-Erdene
Painter and researcher whose expressive works examine memory, movement, and the emotional language of color. During the residency, she will create a new series inspired by the Gobi while leading painting workshops for guests.
Kh. Suren
An innovative printmaker working across etching, linocut, screen printing, and cyanotype. Her residency supports new work for her upcoming Anchored Lines exhibition while introducing guests to traditional printmaking techniques.
M. Erdenebayar
Working in painting and sculpture, Erdenebayar explores horses, nomadic identity, and Mongolia’s visual traditions. His residency focuses on works inspired by the forms and rhythms of the Gobi.
B. Bayanduuren
A master felt artist whose work reimagines one of Mongolia’s oldest artistic traditions. During the residency, she creates new felt works inspired by the people and landscapes of the Gobi while sharing traditional techniques with guests.
From Studio to Gallery
Each residency concludes with an exhibition celebrating the work created during the artists’ time in the Gobi. First presented at Three Camel Lodge, the exhibition allows guests to experience each collection within the landscape that inspired it.
Following the residency season, the exhibition travels to Red Ger Gallery in Ulaanbaatar, extending the conversation to a broader audience and creating new opportunities to engage with Mongolia’s contemporary artistic community.
Discover the Residency at Three Camel Lodge
Throughout the residency season, guests have the opportunity to meet participating artists, observe works in progress, and take part in workshops and conversations that offer insight into Mongolia’s contemporary creative landscape.
These encounters create meaningful connections between artists and travelers, inviting guests to experience the Gobi not only through its landscapes, but through the perspectives of the people who interpret them.
Other Projects
Khankhongor School Partnership
Creating opportunities for the next generation of Mongolian musicians and dancers through education, scholarships, and cultural exchange.
The Mongolian Bankhar Dog Project
Restoring Mongolia’s ancient livestock guardian breed to protect wildlife, strengthen nomadic livelihoods, and preserve centuries of traditional ecological knowledge.
