Bhutan - Lindsay Brown [37]
There are strict iconographical conventions in Bhutanese art and the Bhutanese artists observe them scrupulously. However, artists do express their own personality in minor details (eg the shading of clouds or background scenes). Paintings and sculptures are executed by monks or laymen who work in special workshops. The disciples of a master, as part of their training will do all the preliminary work, while the fine work is executed by the master himself.
* * *
If you are interested in actually creating your own Bhutanese art, look out for Tibetan Thangka Painting: Methods and Materials by David P Jackson and Janice A Jackson.
* * *
The Thirteen Arts
The Thirteen Arts are the 13 traditional arts and crafts (Zorig Chusum) believed to have been categorised during the reign of the fourth desi, Tenzin Rabgye. Zorig Chusum refers to those physical activities which assist, teach or uplift others.
SHINGZO (CARPENTRY)
Skilled carpenters are involved in a range of activities ranging from building dzongs and temples, houses and palaces, to making tools and other practical instruments.
DOZO (MASONRY)
This covers the building of stupas, dzongs and temples as well as making the heavy millstones and stone pestles.
PARZO (CARVING)
The Bhutanese are highly skilled at wood, stone and slate carving. Examples of their work are evident throughout Bhutan, from the slate carvings depicting the Buddha and other religious figures inserted in stupas, to the wooden printing blocks used for printing sacred texts.
LHAZO (PAINTING)
Lhazo encompasses drawing and painting in Bhutan. It includes the painting of thangkas (religious pictures), murals and frescoes in temples and dzongs as well as the colourful images on the exterior walls of Bhutanese homes. Drawing and painting are governed by strict geometric rules of proportion and iconography. For more on lhazo Click here.
* * *
The 2005 Census revealed that Thimphu is the most populated dzongkhag, with 98,676 people, and Gasa the least populated, with 3,116 people.
* * *
JINZO (SCULPTURE)
Perhaps one of the arts in which the Bhutanese excel is the creation of delicate clay sculptures, occasionally set in amazing landscapes. These sculptures, ranging from small- to large-scale statues, are generally created around a hollow frame with the mud or clay built up to form the image. In 1999 the King awarded the Druk Thugsey medal (Heart Son of Bhutan) to sculptor Lopen Omtong, which reflects the high Bhutanese esteem for sculpture.
As well as statues, jinzo includes the production of a range of ritual items, notably the moulded offerings (torma) and masks worn during tsechu, and the more prosaic activity of preparing mud walls on new buildings.
LUGZO (CASTING)
Casting, usually in bronze, refers to the production of musical instruments, statues, tools and kitchen utensils, as well as slip casting for pottery and jewellery.
GARZO (BLACKSMITHING)
Generally, these craftsmen produce axes, plough blades, chains, knives and swords and other practical items.
TROKO (GOLD- AND SILVERSMITHING)
This includes all ornaments made from gold, silver or copper. They are often cut out, beaten, drawn or engraved.
* * *
According to a survey in 2001, 60% of rural landowners are women and 45% of urban property and business is owned by women.
* * *
TSHAZO (BAMBOO WORK)
There is a wide variety of these products, as seen in the Sunday market. They include bangchung (covered bowls with intricate designs, used to carry food), long palang (used to store beer or other liquor), the tshesip (box), belo (small hat worn for sun protection), redi (floor mat), luchu (used for storing grain), balep (bamboo thatch) and of course, the bow and arrow.
THAGZO (WEAVING)
Thagzo covers the whole process: from the preparation of the yarn, dyeing and the numerous designs. This is the largest craft industry in terms of the variety and number of craftspeople