08-06-2014
May 4,2014--The 100 Thangkas on the 60th anniversary of Tibet’s peaceful liberation were completed on April 29, reported by chinatibetnews.
The 100 Thangka paintings focused on the peaceful liberation depicted the great changes taken place in Tibet in the historical course of revolution, development and reform over the past 60 odd years, as well as important figures, historical events and scenes at historical junctures such as the "17-Article Agreement", "the Olympic Torch relayed onto the top of Mt.Qomolangma" and "The Shoton Festival" , representing the highest level in Thangka art.
The "100-Thangka Project" is a project of painting 100 Thangkas on each of the three themes covering the 60th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet,beautiful landscape of Tibet and the history of Tibetan culture respectively.
Thangka is a traditional Tibetan art form mainly on religion painted on scrolls of cotton or silk.
Initiated in May 2012, the Thangka assessment committees composed of both historians and artists have been established. The two committees comprise of experts and scholars in Tibetan history,religion,culture,folklore,literature and art headed by Han Shuli,honorary chairman of the Tibet Federation of
Literary and Art Circles and chairman of Tibet Artists Association.
"The paintings are creations of folk artists to use the traditional artistic technique to express modern themes," said Han Shuli.
Innovation is the driving force of the development of Tibetan art. The modern Thangka has shifted its theme from deity to human,signifying social progress, which will not undermine its collection value. It also embodies the cultural confidence and awareness of Tibet’s Thanka artists in inheriting the Tibetan culture, according to Han.
The artists and inheritors of the four major Thangka genres in three generations participated in the project. Besides, a total of 19 artists from Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Lanzhou cities as well as Qinghai and Sichuan provinces also created 21 paintings.
It is reported that picture albums and collection of theses on the 60th anniversary of Tibet’s peaceful liberation in Tibetan, Chinese and English editions will be published as the next step of the project. And the "100-Thangka exhibition" will be held in China’s major cities and Confucius institutes around the world.