Thangde Gatsal Collection on Thangka Buddhist Art

Collection

Identifier: M358

Staff Only

Abstract

The Thangde Gatsal Collection on Thangka Buddhist Art contains a large body of Thangka artwork, created by specially trained artists at the Thangde Gatsal Art Studio and School in Dharamsala, India. The collection showcases the unique style of Thangka paintings and is of particular religious, philosophical, and historical significance.

Dates

Other: Date Not Yet Determined

Creator

Thangde Gatsal Thangka Art Studio and School (Organization)

Digital Repository

Thangde Gatsal Collection on Thangka Buddhist Art

Language of Materials

Materials in English and Sanskrit.

Biographical / Historical

The Thangde Gatsal Art Studio and School in Dharamsala, India, provided the digital images of Thangka Artwork found in this collection. The studio, founded in 2000 by Master Locho and Sarika Singh, provides training in the production of Thangka paintings, education on Himalayan Buddhist culture, and helps to preserve the ancient practice of Thangka style painting. The studio’s goal is to increase global awareness of this unique art form while training future practitioners. Thangde Gatsal studio sponsors the University of Denver’s International Service Learning program in Dharamsala. Through this connection, many students and faculty have worked and learned at the studio, further fostering relationships between the studio and various departments on campus.

Extent

6,902 Files

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

This collection contains roughly 6,000 digitized paintings and drawings as well as photographs depicting the artists. Because of the size of many of the paintings, close-up views are sometimes provided. It also contains a digital book describing the historical and religious significance of the artwork and providing context for the paintings in the collection: Spiritual Buddhist Art / Master Locho & Sarika Singh. Dharamsala, India, c2013.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged to reflect the original organization of the digital images. It is organized into two digital containers, each containing the contents one flash drive. Each digital container contains two sub-series, “Works and Views” and “Studio and Process.”

In Digital Container 1, “Works and Views” contains digital photographs of various works of art. Many of the works have digital objects that show close-up views of the larger piece of artwork. “Studio and Process” contains photographs of artists creating the works as well as images of the studio.

Digital Container 2 has a slightly different arrangement. The “Works and Views” section corresponds to the digital folders that compose flash drive 2, while the digital objects within each file represent all of the items within that folder.