Pema Namdol Thaye
“Pema Namdol Thaye is a renaissance man, such as Michelangelo or Leonardo Da Vinci, being able to not only master the brush, but also mastering all other forms of artistry, such as, sculpturing in wood, clay and wax, as well as architectural construction.”
– John Listopad PhD, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2000.
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Reviews
Vishwakarma
Pema Namdol has always felt an affinity with Vishwakarma, the Lord of architecture, engineering, crafts and all things related to the arts. He is the divine draftsman of the universe and builder of all celestial abodes as well as all implements held or used by the gods. Vishwakarma is Pema’s personal deity (Ishta devata) for all his artistic activities. He keeps a picture of the divine artist in his studio and prays to him before commencing his artwork. A number of people – most notably his Master teacher, the Venerable Lama Gonpo Tenzin, and Ven. Professor Nyichang Rinpoche – have remarked that Pema displays the essential artistic qualities of Vishwakarma; believing him to be a Tulku emanation of the divine architect.
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Pema Namdol Thaye’s “…dedication as a professional Tibetan thangka painter in preserving and promoting this Tibetan art form is inspiring.”
– H.H. The Dalai Lama, 1997.
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“Pema is one of the greatest living Tibetan artists and possesses a unique grasp of the many facets of art, architecture, symbolism, geometry, Buddhist history, iconography and spirituality that is required to create traditional Tibetan imagery. His work is not only visually spectacular but has the power to impact people and change lives.”
–Meher McArthur, Asian Art Curator, Author and Educator, 2008.
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“I was hugely impressed by his mastery (at a very young age) of not one but three demanding forms of Tibetan art: thangka painting, mural painting and the construction of three-dimensional mandalas. In all of these Pema demonstrated exceptional technical and aesthetic abilities combined with profound knowledge.” – Re: Pema Namdol’s participation in the International Symposium on Tibetan Art, England, 1994.
– Dr. Clare Harris, Reader in Visual Anthropology and Curator for Asian Arts Collections, Pitt Rivers Museum and School of Anthropology, University of Oxford, England, 2007.
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“Within the country [of Bhutan], Pema remains the most prominent artist of our times. He is also the most sought after speaker on art and culture for visitors of notable boutique travel agencies such as Geographic Exhibitions. His books have become the de facto curriculum for the traditional art schools in the country and his iconographic dimensions, the standard.”
– Kunzang Dechen Dorji, Chief Consultant, Jajin Consultancy Services; Author; Sr. Policy Consultant/Advisor to the United Nations Development Program, Thimphu, Bhutan, 2007.
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Pema’s “paintings are certainly among the best worldwide due to his vast knowledge of his subject, the exceptional quality of his work and his committed adherence to maintaining the authenticity of this art’s often complex symbolic and cultural tradition. As such, his work is recognized by various experts as a crucial contribution to preserve the art and the religious culture of the Himalayas.”
– Michael Henss , Founder of ASIATICA Books; Author; Art Collector, Asian Art Lecture and Independent Scholar, ASIATICA Institute for Buddhist Art, Zurich, 2007.
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“As someone whose academic career has been spent researching the religious architecture of South Asia, I am especially aware of the importance of preserving the rare living tradition of three-dimensional mandala design which Mr.Thaye embodies in such an exemplary way. I believe him to be an extraordinary artist in a whole variety of media, and an exceptional person…”
– Dr. Adam Hardy, Reader in Architecture, The Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, 2007.
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Pema’s “work is meticulous and his paintings impart a unique dynamism and vitality. His special combination of contemporary creativity and flair with traditional authenticity and classical beauty make his works prized by collectors and devotees alike.”
– Robert A. F. Thurman, PhD. President of Tibet House; Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies, Columbia University, New York, 2005.
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“I regard him as one of, if not “the best” contemporary Tibetan artist alive today. Pema Namdol’s obvious commitment to maintaining the traditional roots of this somewhat endangered art form is not only commendable but also essential if the tradition is to survive the modern era.”
– Moke Mokotoff, Director of Asian Arts INC; Art Appraiser; Asian Arts Curator, New York, 2005.
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“Pema’s distinctive style derived in part from his thorough traditional training…received from his older relatives, and in part from his own never-ending quest for stylistic excellence. He has synthesized the art he inherited and raised it to a still higher level of excellence.”
– Prof David Jackson, Author; Asian Arts Curator; Head, India and Tibet Section, Asia Africa Institute, Hamburg University, Germany, 2005.
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“The construction of a three-dimensional Mandala is an enormous undertaking. The artist requires a specialized diversity to be able to master all the requisite components involved. I was continually impressed by Pema Namdol’s consummate creative abilities throughout the project. Apart from Pema Namdol’s skilled Mandala construction, his traditional Tibetan Thangkas are of a premium caliber. The Ethnographic Museum purchased three of these extraordinary art works [for its collection].” – Re. the construction of the three-dimensional mandala for the Volkerkunde Museum in 1990.
– PD Dr. Martin Brauen, Head of the Dept. Tibet/Himalaya and Far East, Volkerkunde (Ethnographic) Museum, University of Zurich, 2005.
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“Pema Namdol Thaye is a renaissance man, such as Michelangelo or Leonardo Da Vinci, being able to not only master the brush, but also mastering all other forms of artistry, such as, sculpturing in wood, clay and wax, as well as architectural construction.”
– John Listopad PhD, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2000.
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Pema Namdol exhibits “…the most remarkable originality, even genius, in his portrayal of the traditional themes and subjects of Tibetan icon painting.”
– Professor Robert Thurman PhD, Columbia University, New York, 2000.
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