Over the long course of history on the snowy plateau, Tibetan Thangka art shines like a brilliant pearl, carrying the history, beliefs, and wisdom of the Tibetan people. However, under the impact of modern society, this ancient art form is facing unprecedented challenges in inheritance and opportunities for development.
With the rapid development of the times, significant changes have taken place in social structures and lifestyles. The younger generation mostly yearns for urban life and pursues more convenient and diverse career development paths, resulting in fewer and fewer people willing to engage in Thangka painting. It should be noted that the process of creating Thangka is long and arduous. Thangka artists not only need to have solid painting skills but also have to deeply study Buddhist culture, the measurements of Buddhist statues, and other knowledge. Completing a complex Thangka often takes several months or even years. This situation has led to a crisis of talent shortage in the inheritance of Thangka skills. At the same time, the impact of industrial production cannot be underestimated. Machine-printed Thangkas flood the market with their low prices. Although they cannot compare with hand-painted Thangkas in terms of craftsmanship and artistic value, their price advantage attracts many consumers, severely squeezing the market for hand-painted Thangkas
Nevertheless, we are delighted to see that all sectors of society are actively taking action to find solutions for the inheritance and development of Thangka art. The government has increased its efforts to protect Thangka art, introducing a series of supportive policies and setting up special funds for the protection of Thangka art. These funds are used to train Thangka artists and preserve Thangka cultural relics. Many places have also established Thangka art workshops, providing platforms for Thangka enthusiasts to study and exchange, enabling more people to have the opportunity to come into contact with and understand Thangka art. In terms of innovative development, some Thangka artists have boldly experimented by integrating modern art elements into traditional Thangka painting, creating works that meet modern aesthetic standards. For example, some Thangka works adopt abstract techniques, presenting traditional Buddhist stories in a more visually striking way. Others combine digital technology to digitize Thangkas, allowing audiences to appreciate Thangka art more intuitively and immersively through virtual reality and augmented reality technologies.
The inheritance and development of Thangka art are not only related to the survival of this art form but also to the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Tibetan people. Only by continuously innovating in inheritance and adhering to traditions in development can Tibetan Thangka art shine more brightly in the new era.