Dechen

CHINA, Tibet, Shigatse

Dechen was an architect who specialized in traditional Tibetan construction. Prior to 1959, he participated in various maintenance and renovation projects of important Tibetan historical sites including Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, and Takten Migyur Palace, also known as the New Palace, in Norbulingka Palace. Additionally, he served as the chief engineer in the maintenance work of Sakya Monastery in Shigatse in the 1940s.
In 1980, he accepted a position as a technician at the Tibet Lhasa Guyi Construction Art Department and assisted in a range of monastery renovation projects including that of Tashilhunpo Monastery and Shalu Monastery in Shigatse, Samye Monastery in Zanang, and Potala Palace in Lhasa.
He was awarded the title of Arts and Crafts Master of China in 1996. Dechen was known to be a hardworking and responsible artist who trained and nurtured numerous students in architecture and made significant contributions to the maintenance and renovation of historical Tibetan structures.