
Coming from five generations of thankga painters, Norbu got bored with the rigidity of this traditional scroll painting style at an early age. He began experimenting and this lead to a mixture between the traditional style and his own vivid expressionism. Rather than having a central focus, like in normal thangkas, Norbu's paintings come together to tell an epic.
"To me, a painting should be about movement," says Norbu. "A painting or even a sketch is just another medium to tell a story and capture the imagination. That is one reason why I don't like still art. I prefer paintings that convey motion and energy." These traits are clearly seen in Norbu's portrayal of the scenery and lifestyles of his native Dolpo region in an exhibition of his latest work at the Shangi-La Hotel this week.

The exhibition in Kathmandu this week includes a series that continue the story from Eric Valli's Himalaya, in which Norbu's paintings had featured. Part of the proceeds from the exhibition sales will go to the Kula Primary School in Dolpa. (Milan Wagle)
Dolpo Lives paintings by Tenzin Norbu, daily 10AM-4PM till 20 March at Shangri-la Hotel, Lazimpat