Tibetan Statue Gallery - Atelier NISHI

GALLERY

STATUE

Buddhist statues come in a wide range of sizes and materials—from durable metals to more fragile substances like clay and plaster. One of the roles of a thangka painter is to paint, restore and repaint these sacred figures. While metal statues are commonly seen, those made from softer materials often contain delicate parts, requiring the painter to exercise great care during the painting process.

The style of painting varies. Some statues are fully adorned with vibrant colors, while others are primarily gilded and selectively painted—often only the face, hair, and a few small details.

Unlike thangka painting, where the painter creates the entire image from scratch, statue painting begins with a pre-formed face and expression. The painter usually follows the existing contours to achieve a natural-looking result, honoring the original sculptor’s craftsmanship.

However, at times, subtle adjustments are made with great care to ensure they do not conflict with the statue’s original form, in accordance with the patron’s specific requests, reflecting the symbolic features associated with each deity, and—most importantly—incorporating valuable guidance from lamas.

In cases of restoration or repainting, whether to preserve the original face or paint a new one is carefully discussed with the client before restoration begins.

Please note that while Yoji Nishi was responsible for the painting work, all the statues featured here were created by different artists.