About artist
Urgyen Sonam – Master Silk Applique Thangka Artist & Founder of Little Tibet
Urgyen Sonam is a renowned master of Silk Thangka, a rare and sacred Tibetan art form that combines appliqué and embroidery on fine silk to create exquisite Buddhist iconography. Considered the pinnacle of the thangka arts, silk thangka making demands extraordinary precision, patience, and devotion — qualities reflected in every one of Urgyen’s works.
Born in Eastern Tibet, Urgyen spent his early years travelling on foot to sacred sites with his family. At the age of 13, he left Tibet with his mother and journeyed to India, where he became a monk and specialized in ritual music and chanting. His natural affinity for art and devotion to Buddhist practice led him to study under Namsa Chenmo, the Dalai Lama’s personal thangka maker and textile artist. Over a rigorous five-year apprenticeship, Urgyen mastered the intricate techniques of traditional silk thangka creation.
For more than 15 years, Urgyen has dedicated his life to preserving and sharing this sacred artistic lineage. Now based in Queensland, Australia, he continues to create thangkas for monasteries, private collectors, and personal devotional practice. His works are displayed in national and private galleries, and he regularly teaches workshops and courses to help others connect with this profound art form.
In addition to his traditional practice, Urgyen also explores contemporary and mixed media art, blending ancient Tibetan aesthetics with modern expressions of spirituality. As one of the few traditionally trained Tibetan silk thangka artists living in the West, Urgyen Sonam’s work bridges cultures, time, and devotion — keeping alive a lineage of art that embodies the heart of Tibetan Buddhism.
Click here to learn about how silk applique thangkas are made
