Tashi Tshering

CHINA, Tibet, Lhoka

Tashi Tshering was born in Lhoka to a family of painters. Both his father, Tseten Phuntshok, and elder brother, Paljor Gyalpo, were well-known artists. His father passed away when he was very young, but he later learned to paint from his brother. At the age of 18, he entered the Xueduibai Traditional Manual Art Center and was involved in several mural and thangka projects. He eventually served as junior overseer of the center.
Tashi was later involved in the painting of a mural at Takten Migyur Palace (also known as the New Summer Palace) in Norbulingka Palace. In 1980 he was employed by the Ancient Art Restoration Centre as a chief painter. He completed many significant mural restoration projects at monasteries such as Jokhang Temple, Nechung Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Sakya Monastery, Shalu Monastery, Samye Monastery, and the Potala Palace.
His paintings are collected in numerous monasteries and palaces around Lhasa, while some are kept as part of private collections. His works, such as the Four-Armed Dharma Protector painted on black thangka and the Three Deities of Longevity, were published in Collection of Contemporary Tibetan Arts. Throughout his life, Tashi was wholly dedicated to the arts and he nurtured many students of the Menri school of painting.