Thangka master paints picture of peace at UN headquarters

Visitors view a thangka painting by Nyangbon in an exhibition held at the National Museum of China in Beijing in 2014. [Photo by Lu Xu/For China Daily]

At a cultural exchange in the US, Nyangbon's art inspired harmony and tranquillity

NEW YORK－The UN headquarters in New York is usually a raucous forum where the world's problems are dissected and debated, but when thangka painter Nyangbon visited he brought with him a pervading sense of peacefulness.

The renowned thangka painter from Qinghai province, who goes by one name, recently took part in a cultural exchange at the UN, where he urged people around the world to make safeguarding peace a priority.

At the invitation of Cindy Ye, president of the American New Line Express delivery company, Nyangbon met with Bradley Theodore, an emerging artist in the United States.

While preparing for his visit, Nyangbon learned that the UN was troubled by member nations' disputes and conflicts, budgetary problems and mistrust.

Nyangbon said while he is a firm believer that political dialogue and consultations are important means of solving disputes, art can also "work wonders".

Jack Rosen, president of the American Jewish Congress, said at the exchange event: "The wonderful artworks of Nyangbon have brought a sort of refreshing spring breeze to the UN thanks to the connotations of peace and harmony embedded in his paintings.

"Most of Nyangbon's works carry a strong sense of peace and tranquillity. They perfectly reflect the wonderful harmony between humans and between humans and nature, as well as Chinese people's strong aspirations for peace and a better life. This is one of the best ways for Americans to better understand China and the Chinese people."