In the magical spiritual realms of the Himalayas, where my deeply rooted ancestral Buddhist devotion is closest to my heart, I learned and experienced the genuine connection between centuries-old Buddhist scriptures and art originating from India’s Nalanda tradition.
Art is an unwavering passion that has been an inseparable element of my being since childhood. Today, I continue to incessantly draw and paint the visualizations of compositions, shapes, and colors, which intuitively and meaningfully reflect my philosophical understanding.
In my artworks, you can find the expressions and embodiments of my Buddhist philosophical understanding of the source and cause of happiness and suffering we all experience, which intrinsically relates to the ‘interconnectedness’ of our very existence as a whole.
I intend for my artwork to be analyzed and meditated on in order for its deeper philosophical meanings to surface. In this manner, we can each find the keys to discovering the profound meanings of our states of mind and the true nature of our perspectives and perhaps see the outer world in a more positive light.
Anay Ngawang Chodak (b. 1980) is a traditional Tibetan thangka master and a contemporary artist. He is a devoted Buddhist practitioner and a direct descendant of the Repa Dorje Chang lineage—one of Jetsun Milarepa’s yogi disciples.
For the past two decades, Ngawang has devoted his artistic mastery to one of the most notable Buddhist art projects, Sangwa Gyachen (Tib. གསང་བ་རྒྱ་ཅན་) 'Bearing the Seal of Secrecy' — visionary teachings of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Kunga Bhuma Rinpoche.
Ngawang's art is deeply philosophical and delivers mesmerizing abstractions of spirited yet meaningful expressions. He explores the symbolism of the ‘interconnectedness of our existence’ by illuminating outer beauty and inner philosophical aspects, thus forming a thoughtful reflection of the science of the mind.
Anay Ngawang Chodak’s artistic approach involves reimagining his roots in antiquity Buddhist art originating in India’s Nalanda tradition delivered with a fusion of styles from Newa Poubha, Kashmiri-style Alchi, and Tibetan art —merging his intrigue with its modern interpretation and representation, particularly in the context of female energy as a divine source of wisdom.
Ngawang mainly works with Japanese mineral pigment, gouache, and 24K gold on cotton canvas, handmade Tibetan cotton canvas, and French cold and hot-pressed paper. He currently lives and works between Kathmandu, Nepal and USA.
An artwork, “Wrathful and Peaceful" in progress at the art studio
Project
2017 - 2021
A complete set of thirty-two Sangwa Gyachen - the 'Bearing the Seal of Secrecy' thangka collection and Sangwa Gyachen refuge tree thangka for Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Kunga Bhuma Rinpoche’s private collection
2015 - 2017
Mural thangka pantings in the sanctum sanctorum of the five-story Great Stupa in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India
2009 - 2015
A complete set of thirty-two Sangwa Gyachen - the 'Bearing the Seal of Secrecy' thangka collection for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s private collection
2006 - 2009
Tibetan thangka collections for personal Dharma practices for Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Kunga Bhuma Rinpoche
2003 - 2006
Twenty-five section sacred scripture paintings on Sangwa Gyachen - the 'Bearing the Seal of Secrecy' scriptures for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s private collection
2000 - 2003
Conservation and restoration works on Tibetan antique thangka paintings for private collections that have since been exhibited at Rubin Museum and Asia Week New York.
Philosophy and Artist Residency
2015 - 2021
Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Rinpoche’s private art studio, Dharamsala, India
2009 - 2015
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Palace annex quarter, Dharamsala, India
2003 - 2009
Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Rinpoche’s residence at His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s temple, Dharamsala, India
Collection
In His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s private collection
A complete set of thirty-two Sangwa Gyachen - the 'Bearing the Seal of Secrecy' thangka collection
Twenty-five section sacred scripture paintings on Sangwa Gyachen - the 'Bearing the Seal of Secrecy' scriptures
In Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Kunga Bhuma Rinpoche’s private collection
A complete set of thirty-two Sangwa Gyachen - the 'Bearing the Seal of Secrecy' thangka collection and Sangwa Gyachen refuge tree thangka
Tibetan thangka collections for personal Dharma practices
Education
2003 - current
Buddhist Philosophy and spiritual practices under the tutelage of and personal guidance by Rangjung Neljorma Khandro Kunga Bhuma Rinpoche, and accompanying and assisting several long-term personal retreats at the residence and pilgrimage sites in India and Nepal
1998 - 2003
Traditional thangka apprenticeships with the renowned Newar Paubha art master Roshan Shakya in Kathmandu, Nepal, and Tibetan thangka master Ven. Jamyang in Dharamsala, India
1995 - 1998
The Modern Art School, Mussoorie, India
Exhibition
April 06 - May 23, 2024
Solo art exhibition, “Opening Doors to Universal Inner Human Value,” at Kisimaaka Gallery, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
March 25 - March 27, 2024
Private viewing solo exhibition, “Compassion and Wisdom in a Contemporary World,” at Drala Resort, Parphing, Nepal
January 12 - January 28, 2024
Solo art exhibition, “Imprints of Compassion and Wisdom,” at Wind Horse Art Gallery, Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur, Nepal
November 22 - December 22, 2023
First Solo art exhibition, “Compassion and Wisdom in a Contemporary World,” at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal Revisited, Kathmandu, Nepal
October 24 - 29, 2023
Group art exhibition, "Sahaja" at Siddhartha Festival organized by Siddhartha’s Intent, Bodhgaya, India
August 2023
Featured online art exhibition, Sahaja Art Gallery, Siddhartha’s Intent
Publication
Celebrating Interconnectedness Through Art by Aarati Ray, The Kathmandu Post, 05/17/2024
Compassion on Canvas by Anish Ghimire, The Kathmandu Post, 12/1/2023
Reinventing Tibetan and Himalayan arts through modern interpretation, Online Khabrar, 12/18/2023
Sharing the Compassion and Wisdom, by Sunil Raj Dhakal, Khoj Patra, 12/18/2023
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