Tibetan Sacred Arts
by Urgyen Sonam
གོས་ཐང་
Urgyen Sonam is a renowned master, silk, thangka artist. Thangka is a devotional and spiritual art form exclusive to Tibet which uses techniques of appliqué and embroidery on fine strong silk to create dramatically beautiful, refined Buddhist iconography.
Silk Thangka making is practiced and mastered by few and is considered the pinnacle of the various thangka arts. Reverence is due to the intricate and time consuming skills required and the use of, exquisite materials that last generations.
Urgyen Sonam was born in Eastern Tibet and spent his childhood travelling by foot to sacred sites. Later, in India Urgyen became a monk and specialised in ritual music and chanting. A natural affinity with the arts led him to undertake a five year apprenticeship with Phuntsok Tsering - The Dalai Lama's personal thangka maker and textile artist.
Since completing his apprenticeship, Urgyen has dedicated the last 10 years to the art of silk thangka and preserving this sacred Buddhist practice and artistic knowledge.
Urgyen has created thangkas for monasteries and unique pieces for individual's personal practice and their homes. He teaches courses and showcases his works in national and private art galleries.
Urgyen is now based in Australia and is one, of only a few traditionally trained Tibetan silk thangka artists in the West. He travels regularly showcasing his pieces and holding workshops around the world.
Silk Thangka making is practiced and mastered by few and is considered the pinnacle of the various thangka arts. Reverence is due to the intricate and time consuming skills required and the use of, exquisite materials that last generations.
Urgyen Sonam was born in Eastern Tibet and spent his childhood travelling by foot to sacred sites. Later, in India Urgyen became a monk and specialised in ritual music and chanting. A natural affinity with the arts led him to undertake a five year apprenticeship with Phuntsok Tsering - The Dalai Lama's personal thangka maker and textile artist.
Since completing his apprenticeship, Urgyen has dedicated the last 10 years to the art of silk thangka and preserving this sacred Buddhist practice and artistic knowledge.
Urgyen has created thangkas for monasteries and unique pieces for individual's personal practice and their homes. He teaches courses and showcases his works in national and private art galleries.
Urgyen is now based in Australia and is one, of only a few traditionally trained Tibetan silk thangka artists in the West. He travels regularly showcasing his pieces and holding workshops around the world.
