Thangka Paintings by the New Generation in Exile – An Exhibition at Tibet House
by Danny Fisher
The Menris Tradition of Tibetan Thangka Art
Traditional Paintings by the New Generation in ExileThe Menris tradition of thangka art survived in Tibet for centuries until its interruption by the Chinese Communist invasion. Ven. Sangye Yeshi, who fled to India in 1959, revived the tradition at the request of His Holiness Dalai Lama.
Ven. Yeshi passed away in 2009. This long and rich tradition continues through his students and school – the Institute of Tibetan Thangka Art (ITTA) in Dharamsala.
Tibet House US is pleased to display works from Ven. Yeshi’s students, including Tashi Dhargyal – who helped him found the ITTA to ensure a high standard of training for future Menris painters.
The Menris tradition is characterized by clear outlines, strong colors, fine shadings, and its accentuations in gold. This exhibition offers a glimpse of classical thangka art persevered by a new generation of students.
