Tibetan art

Author: Xiong Wenbin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-12-01
Features: A Series on Basic Conditions of Tibet, China. In Tibet, whether in relatively densely populated towns and villages or in desolate grasslands, whether at mountain passes or by the lakes with shimmering waters, the light of artistic inspiration shines everywhere: towering temple buildings built on mountains with golden radiance, ancient cliff carvings and rock paintings in the desolate cliffs, fluttering prayer flags at mountain passes and lakesides, ancient castles standing atop mountain peaks, colorful and magical murals, sculptures, and tangkas inside temples, as well as the unrestrained songs and dances on the vast grasslands. In short, wherever the highland dwellers have stepped, there is no place that does not bear the imprint of their wisdom. These treasures of Tibetan art are closely linked to Tibetan culture. To some extent, they are the direct manifestation of Tibetan culture. The emergence and development of Tibetan art span about 5,000 years of history. Prehistoric art is closely tied to primitive religion—Bon, and its later development is primarily centered on Tibetan Buddhism culture, with strong ethnic and regional characteristics.