Biography

Lama Tashi Norbu is a Buddhist monk and multidisciplinary artist whose work investigates the spiritual journey of the human being, the connection with nature and the challenges of modern life.

Of Tibetan heritage and born in Bhutan, Tashi grew up in Dharamsala, India. His childhood was spent in Tibetan monastic schools living with Buddhist rituals and where he studied at the Institute of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA)/Traditional Thangka Painting. His name Tashi Norbu was given to him by Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche, considered one of the legendary and sacred Sky Dancers of Tibet.

Among many other achievements, Lama Tashi was a Thangka painter under the residence of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. He studied at the Academy of Visual Arts of Saint Luke in Ghent, Belgium, where he developed an integrative vision between Western and Eastern culture, mixing traditional and modern elements, in support of Tibetan culture.

Currently residing in California, USA. His practice includes painting, drawing, sculpture, monumental installations and performances. Following his belief that being a Tibetan Buddhist monk is a distinctive path for an artist, Lama Tashi uses his work to deepen the understanding of Buddhism. His paintings, rich in magical tales and vibrant imagery, offer insights into the life qualities of Tibetan Buddhism. Lama Tashi’s commitment extends beyond art and spirituality, achieving a vision in which he combines meditation, yoga, live painting performances, sand mandala creations, mantras and tattooing sacred Tibetan art on people based on their astrological charts.

Lama Tashi is the founder and creative director of the only registered Tibetan Museum in the world, the Museum of Contemporary Tibetan Art (MoCTA) based in Emmen, Netherlands. His global activities and support for women's rights in Tibet highlight his dedication to compassion and service.

His work has been exhibited in various galleries and museums such as 20th Anniversary, Trace Foundation in collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA), Art With Me Festival Miami, Florida Museum and Gandhi Museum Bihar/India, among others.

As part of his activism in the expansion of Tibetan art around the world, one of his current aims and major projects is to open a museum of Tibetan art in the United States, ratifying his interest in human rights, peace, environmental awareness and expansion of well-being.

Exhibitions

2005-07: Himalayan Spirit (2005-2006). [Solo Exhibition]. Huis van Alijn, Ghent, Belgium. (2006-2009). [Solo Exhibition]. Ticket for Tibet Festival, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. (2007). [Solo Exhibition]. Ten Vrede Festival, Museum of Peace, Diksmuiden, Belgium. (2007). [Solo Exhibition]. Haus Beda Museum, Bitburg, Germany. (2007). [Exhibition]. European Parliament House, Strasbourg, France. (2007). [Solo Exhibition].

2008-2012: Léz Arts Scénique, Sélestat, France. On the Threshold of a New Future. (2008-2010). [Exhibition]. Tibet Art Now, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Wereld Museum, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (2009). [Solo Exhibition]. Multi-media Weitsicht Festival, Darmstadt, Germany Urban Buddha. (2011). [Solo Exhibition]. Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India. (2012). [Exhibition]. Art Zaanstad, Art Fair Zaandam, The Netherlands. (2012). [Exhibition].

2013-2016: Annual Happinez Festival, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2013). [Exhibition]. B12 Contemporary Art Gallery Museum, Ibiza, Spain. In-Between. (2013). [Exhibition]. Rossi & Rossi Gallery, London, United Kingdom. 31 October 2013 - 28 November 2013. (2014.) [Exhibition]. Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde, Leiden, The Netherlands . 21 March - 6 April 2014. (2014). [Exhibition]. Asian Art Festival, Tibet House U.S., New York, United States. (2014). [Exhibition]. 20th Anniversary, Trace Foundation in cooperation with Museum of Modern Art(MOMA), New York, United States. Anonymous. (2014). [Exhibition]. Queens Museum Panorama Gallery & Rubin Museum, New York, United States. Adjust Traditionsto New Realities. (2015). [Exhibition]. Tibet ARTNow, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 7 August 2015 - 23 August 2015. Tibet Revealed: an in-depth look at art from the roof of the world, The Art of Tashi Norbu. (2016). [Solo Exhibition]. Macau, China. Time Travellers, The Art of Tashi Norbu. (2016). [Exhibition].

2018-2024: Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Urban Buddha, Emmen Goes Eco. (2018). [Exhibition]. Rensenpark, Emmen, The Netherlands. Beyond the Threshold: Tibetan Contemporary Art. (2022). [Exhibition]. The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, Arlington, New York. (2022). [Solo Exhibition]. Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma, California, United States. 29 September - 7 October 2022. (2022). [Solo Exhibition]. Resin Gallery, Hermosa Beach, California, United States. 15 October - 31 October 2022. (2022). [Solo Exhibition]. Yoganandance, Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles, California, United States. 17 November 2022. (2022). [Solo Exhibition]. Awakenings Yoga Studio, Sedona, Arizona, United States. 16 December - 23 December 2022. (2023), 6th June Carnegie Hall, New York City ). (2024, Harn Museum, Gainsville). 2023 and 2024 Events December 8-10, 2023 Art With Me Festival Miami, FL.

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