Sarika Singh (Thangka painter) explained

Dr. Sarika Singh is perhaps the first Indian female master painter and teacher in the Buddhist tradition of Thangka Painting.[1] [2] Born on 13 August 1976, in New Delhi, she began her studies in the art of Thangka painting, in 1996, at the prestigious Norbulingka Institute in Dharamshala, Northern India under the tutelage of her master, Tempa Choephel. In the year 2015, she completed her Master’s degree in ‘Buddhist and Tibetan Studies’ from Punjab University, and ‘PhD’ from Central University of Himachal Pradesh in the year 2021.

Along with her husband Master Locho, one of the finest Master Thangka painters in the world, Singh co-founded the ‘Center for Living Buddhist Art’ and 'Thangde Gatsal Thangka Studio' in 2001. In 2019, they established the Himalayan Art Museum which connects us to the rich cultural heritage of India and Tibet. The museum aims to generate awareness about the Buddhist art through contemporary quality thangka works based on the tradition carried forward by Indian and Tibetan masters. This museum is a window to the 2,300 years old journey of the tradition of Buddhist paintings and the evolution of art through ages and geographies. The museum exhibits the finest master pieces created by Locho and Singh.

Thangka Painting Contributions

Thangde Gatsal Studio : Teaching

Cultural Contributions

Recognitions and awards

Workshops and Residencies

2007Visiting Artist, The Jacques Marchais Tibetan Museum, Tibet Festival, Staten Island, New York, USA
2004Visiting Artist, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA
2000Artist Workshop, Graz, Austria

Exhibitions and Commissions

2010          Exhibition coinciding with the Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Bloomington, Indiana, USA

2008          Exhibition coinciding with the Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sydney, Australia

Exhibition coinciding with the Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, London, United Kingdom

2007          Featured Artist, Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New Zealand

Featured Artist, Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Germany

Featured Artist, Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New York, USA

Featured Artist, Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Bloomington, Indiana, USA

2006          Featured Artist, Teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, New York, New York, USA

2005          Official backdrop Paintings, Shantideva Teachings, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Commissioned by Arizona Teachings, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, USA

Exhibition coinciding with the Shantideva Teachings, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tucson, Arizona, USA

2003          Radiant Transmission: Contemporary Masterpieces of Tibetan Buddhist Art, October Gallery, London, United Kingdom

2002          Official backdrop paintings, Kālachakra Initiation Ceremony for World Peace, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, commissioned by the She Drup Ling Buddhist Centre, Graz, Austria.

Exhibition coinciding with the Kālachakra Initiation Ceremony  for World Peace, Graz, Austria

Publications

·     Singh, S. (2020). Painting Thangkas: Depicting Morality. Artos, 9 (Url: http://www.uaos.unios.hr/artos/index.php/hr/thangka-slikarstvo/singh-

painting-thangkas)

·     Singh, S. (2020). Image and Imagery: Making Buddha. Artos, 9. (Url: http://www.uaos.unios.hr/artos/index.php/hr/thangka-slikarstvo/singh-making-buddha)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sarika Singh | Woman Thangla Painter | Lord Buddha | Dharamshala | Himalayan | Art School. 24 October 2011.
  2. Web site: Sarika Singh | Woman Thangla Painter | Lord Buddha | Dharamshala | Himalayan | Art School. Arvind. Sharma. 24 October 2011. oneindia.com.