Tibet Thangka Painting Academy

Tibet Thangka Painting Academy (西藏唐卡画院) was established on January 6, 2012, by Mian Chong Lobsang (勉冲·罗布斯达), a national inheritor of the Mian Sa (勉萨派) tradition of Tibetan Thangka painting. Originally founded as the Dui Jue Bai Ji Tibetan Traditional Arts Studio (堆觉白吉藏族传统美术室) in 2000, the academy is located within the Tibetan Thangka Art Park (拉萨慈觉林唐卡艺术园区) in Lhasa (拉萨). It serves as a hub for exhibitions, training, academic discussions, and research, preserving the complete process of Thangka creation. The academy’s facilities include exhibition halls, an academic research center, and a branch of the Tibet Autonomous Region Library (西藏自治区图书馆).

The academy showcases works from four major Thangka schools: Mian Tang (勉唐派), Mian Sa (勉萨派), Gama Gachi (嘎玛嘎赤派), and Qinzi (钦孜派). It offers courses from beginner to advanced levels in Thangka theory, painting techniques, and traditional brush-making skills.

Since its founding, the academy has trained over 430 students, many of whom have been recognized as regional masters of craft and inheritors of intangible cultural heritage. In 2014, the academy was included in the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage production protection bases (第二批国家级非物质文化遗产生产性保护基地). In 2021, it was recognized as one of the first intangible cultural heritage tourism sites (非遗旅游景区) in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Academy Overview

  • Founder: Mian Chong Lobsang (勉冲·罗布斯达)

  • Established: January 6, 2012

  • Location: Lhasa (拉萨), Tibet (西藏)

  • Primary Focus: Preservation, training, and development of Tibetan Thangka painting

Historical Background

Although officially founded in 2012, the academy’s origins trace back to 2000 when it began as the Dui Jue Bai Ji Tibetan Traditional Arts Studio. The academy functions as a private non-enterprise cultural and artistic organization, focusing on the protection, inheritance, and promotion of Tibetan Thangka art.

Founder Mian Chong Lobsang, born into a family of Thangka painters, has been a national-level inheritor of the Mian Sa (勉萨派) school since the age of 12. He studied under prominent figures like Gaqin Lobsang Pingzhuo and Gaqin Adun before furthering his education in Fine Arts and Tibetan Studies at Tibet University (西藏大学) in 1998.

In 2013, the academy’s official opening took place in Lhasa, marking a new chapter for the academy and its mission to preserve the Thangka tradition. It consists of three main areas: a Thangka Exhibition Hall (唐卡展厅), an Academic Hall (研讨厅), and a Training Base (传习基地).

Key Thangka Schools

  1. Mian Tang School (勉唐派)

    Established by Mian Laton (勉拉顿珠) in the 15th century, this school incorporated local snow-capped mountains, rivers, and flora and fauna into its Thangka and mural backgrounds, distinct from other schools of the time.

  2. Gama Gachi School (嘎玛嘎赤派)

    Founded by Yadui Nangka Zaxi (雅堆南卡扎西) in the 16th century, this style evolved from Mian Tang but added distinctive techniques for creating landscape scenes and architectural details.

  3. Mian Sa School (勉萨派)

    Founded by Zhu Gu Qü Ying Jia Cuo (珠古•曲英嘉措) in the 17th century, this school is known for its unique facial expressions in figures, delicate gold powder detailing, and vibrant color schemes. The style also portrays natural phenomena like fire and wind.

  4. Qinzi School (钦孜派)

    Created by Qinzi Master (钦孜大师) in the 15th century, the Qinzi style further refined background painting and animal figures, incorporating techniques from neighboring cultures.

Notable Achievements

  • 2014: Selected as a national intangible cultural heritage production protection base (第二批国家级非物质文化遗产生产性保护基地).

  • 2021: Designated as one of the first intangible cultural heritage tourism sites (非遗旅游景区) in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

  • 2023: Awarded Tibet’s 3A-level social organization status.

Thangka Painting Styles

The Tibetan Thangka (西藏唐卡) painting tradition comprises several distinctive schools, each with unique stylistic features:

  • Mian Tang School (勉唐派): Founded in the 15th century by Mian Laton, this school integrates snow-capped mountains, rivers, and local flora and fauna into its imagery.

  • Gama Gachi School (嘎玛嘎赤派): Established in the 16th century by Yadui Nangka Zaxi, it blends traditional iconography with architectural and natural elements.

  • Mian Sa School (勉萨派): Founded by Zhu Gu Qü Ying Jia Cuo in the 17th century, this style features vivid gold powder detailing, unique facial expressions, and realistic depictions of natural elements.

  • Qinzi School (钦孜派): This style, founded by Qinzi Master in the 15th century, is noted for its advanced techniques in background painting and animal figures.

Honours and Recognition

  • 2021: Recognized as one of the first intangible cultural heritage tourism sites (非遗旅游景区) by the Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区).