A Divine Art Form: A Thousand-Year-Old Tradition Reimagined

Dragon Media Newsroom

An exhibition of contemporary Tibetan mineral-pigment artworks and a cultural discussion were held in Chengdu on August 18, 2026.

Artists from Tibet Gechen Art and Culture Co., led by Khedrub Gyatso, are working to bring a contemporary spirit to traditional Tibetan pigment painting. They use powders made by grinding gold, silver and copper, as well as precious materials such as turquoise, coral and pearls.

Their works depict subjects ranging from the outer world to living beings and inner life. By combining traditional techniques with new ideas, the artists are seeking to develop a contemporary style of pigment painting.

The exhibition and discussion presented their efforts to renew a longstanding artistic tradition while continuing to draw on its distinctive materials and visual language.