《Thangka Body, Mind and Spirit Artist-In-Residency: Awakening in Colour
The programme will lead participants to explore the Rekong art in Qinghai, the birthplace of Thangka, an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Learn and create Thangka, experience various traditional Tibetan cultural activities, participate in grand Tibetan folk festivals, and feel the inner tranquility of a nation that advocates spiritual life.
The program includes professional Thangka certificate courses, mind-body-spirit workshops, and visits to ancient mountain cities. The Thangka certificate course will be taught by local professional masters at the only art museum in Rekong, and participants will create their own mandala Thangka paintings. The course will include colour chakras, Tibetan hymns, etc., to deeply explore inner harmony in the magnificent scenery, and experience the culture, history and significance of Rekong with multiple senses.
"Tongren" is commonly known as "Rekong" in Tibetan, which means the golden valley where dreams come true. It is the only national historical and cultural city in Qinghai Province and the birthplace of Tibetan culture.
Tongren City, Qinghai Province, known as the "Hometown of Thangka". Also known as "Rekong", it means "golden valley" in Tibetan, and translated into Chinese as "the place where dreams come true". Since the 11th century, the earliest Thangka painting tradition has been started here. In the 14th century, early Sakya paintings based on Nepalese style also rose. In the 17th century, as the Gelugpa sect continued to grow, the new Mentang style of painting supported by the Gelugpa sect occupied the mainstream position in the history of styles. This tradition has lasted for 300 years and formed the unique Qinghai Rekong Thangka painting style.
Own a Thangka painting painted by yourself
Through this study course, students will, under the guidance of Rekong Thangka painters, travel through the time and a journey of the intangible cultural heritage Thangka and use their brushes to explore the mysteries of the colourful world in a small space.
This is a journey to explore the intangible cultural heritage Thangka art. In this programme, we will learn and experience the complete rituals of intangible cultural heritage Thangka painting under the guidance of teachers from the Rekong Thangka Art Museum, as well as taking inspiration and exploration of many centuries-old intangible cultural heritage ancient buildings with Tibetan influence. Thangka painters will teach everyone the process of Thangka painting and the history of Tibetan art through words and teachings.
Thangka canvas production is the most essential piece before starting to paint Thangka. The canvas production process is tested. The white cloth should be handmade pure cotton cloth. The plaster is polished into white powder and then baked. After multiple complicated processes, the polished canvas is extremely flexible and has good permeability. Under the guidance of professional Thangka painters, students will experience the production process of Thangka canvas and prepare to make canvas for their own Thangka.
Rekong Thangka artists have developed a unique set of scientific methods of mixing ingredients, painting and gilding in their long artistic practice, and have developed more than 20 kinds of mineral painting pigments using local cinnabar, copper ore, pyrite and wood.
Explore Regong Ancient Buildings
This is also a trip to study Tibetan history. Under the guidance of Mr. Lian, the executive director of the Rekongthang Thangka Art Museum, we will visit the century-old architectural art and historical and cultural background of Rekongthang in Qinghai, and experience the traditional Tibetan wooden house culture and Tibetan folk cuisine in these century-old ancient buildings.
Colour Chakra Healing Workshop
Thangkas serve as important teaching tools, depicting the life of the Buddha, various influential lamas, and other Bodhisattvas. One of the themes is the Bhavachakra, the Wheel of Life, which is a visual representation of the teachings of Abhidharma (the Art of Enlightenment).
The word mandala comes from Sanskrit, where "man" means the essence of the deity and "dhara" means container or symbol. Mandalas are usually composed of complex geometric patterns, shapes and symbols, and take the form of a ring or square. In Buddhism, mandalas represent the universe and serve as a visual aid for meditation and spiritual practice. It symbolises the interconnectedness of all beings and the journey to enlightenment. By observing or creating a mandala, people can enter a state of meditation, mindfulness and introspection. The aesthetic value and geometric shape of the mandala make it a source of inspiration for art and design, bringing a unique harmony and balance to the work. In psychology and psychotherapy, mandalas help people explore inner psychological states, self-discovery and healing.
Tibetan Culture - Himalayan Chanting
Himalayan Chanting is a traditional musical form that originated in the Himalayas, a region that spans Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tibet. This form of chanting combines religious, cultural and musical elements and is considered a sacred form of expression and inheritance. They are sung in a specific language, tone and rhythm. The lyrics of these chants often involve religious teachings, prayers, blessings and praise of the natural world. Through chanting, people seek spiritual connection, peace and purification.
Tibetan Culture - Regong Tibetan Cuisine
In Qinghai, staple foods are not only an essential part of people’s daily lives, but also reflect the region’s rich cultural heritage. One of Qinghai’s staple foods is tsampa (zān bā), which is one of the staples in Tibetan cuisine. Made from roasted barley flour, tsampa is often mixed with yak milk tea to create a dough-like texture, making for this hearty and nutritious dish.
Raising sheep and yaks on the vast Qinghai grasslands has shaped the region’s culinary traditions. Lamb stews and roasts are traditional preparations. Herbs and spices add layers and rich flavour to these dishes. Yak meat is known for its lean meat and full flavour.
Mindfulness Journey in Qinghai
Artist-In-Residence Programme Details
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Join the 10-day "Thangka Body and Mind Art Residency: Awakening in Colour" to explore the birthplace of Thangka Art - Rekong (2450 meters above sea level) in the colourful Tibetan culture and intangible cultural heritage of mankind. Before the seventh century, the Rekong area was originally a land of Qiang Rong. After thousands of years of integration of various ethnic cultures, it is now a "grouped tribe".
The Spring Festival is the most important festival in the Rekong region. Starting from the Lunar New Year, various religious ceremonies, Vajra dances, and folk activities such as sunbathing the Buddha will flourish.
This Art Residency not only includes learning the techniques of Thangka painting, but also creating your own mandala Thangka painting in the famous Regong Art Museum, connecting with the thousand-year tradition and spirit, traveling through time, and feeling the profound heritage of Tibetan culture. From Qijia culture to Regong art, it shows the development of human civilisation spanning more than 4,000 years.
🎋 The mind, body and spirit workshop of the art residency is based on the traditional Tibetan civilisation, allowing participants to understand and experience chakras, colour healing, Tibetan hymns, etc., to balance the inside and outside, achieve harmony between body and mind, and feel the inner tranquility of a nation that advocates spiritual life.
🏯 The Artist Residency will travel through ancient temples and castles, explore sacred sites, feel the peace while walking in the magnificent scenery, and experience the culture, food, history and significance of Rekong with multiple senses, bringing new inspiration to life.
📆 Programme Dates: February 8-17, 2025 (9 nights and 10 days)
🚩 Course content
1. Mandala Thangka material production (canvas, mineral pigments,
real gold pigments, brushes, etc.) 35*35cm
2. History and appreciation of Tibetan Buddhist paintings
3. Mandala thangka line drawing and color painting
4. Color healing workshop
5. Himalayan music chanting
6. Rekong historical house inspection
7. Participate in the grand Tibetan folk festival - Vajra Dharma Assembly
The fee includes: airport transfer and transportation within the itinerary; the only four-star hotel in the area (pre-set double room, if you need a single room, please contact us to make up the room difference); eight meals (including special Tibetan banquets and local Qinghai cuisine); Thangka art lecturer; Thangka painting teacher; colour therapy workshop; Thangka painting materials; Thangka learning tool books; attraction tickets; graduation certificate; Tibet entry paper; travel insurance within the itinerary.
🎓 Certification: After passing the assessment, students will receive a completion certificate issued by the Regong Thangka Art Museum and the Mother Earth.
The visa quotas are limited. Please allow at least 7 weeks to apply for the entry permit.
Co-organized by: Tongren Regong Thangka Art Museum