News & Events
"Buddhas and Rockets" Exhibition by Bhutanese thangka painter Lopen Phurba Namgay
Paro, Bhutan – The National Museum of Bhutan is hosting the fourth Artist Collaboration, featuring distinguished Bhutanese thangka painter Lopen Phurba Namgay.
Trained for 8 years at the Institute for Zorig Chusum and later serving as an instructor, Lopen Phurba Namgay is a highly accomplished thangka painter. His works, used for meditation and spiritual practice, embody the deep harmony between art and spirituality. He also contributes to the restoration of temples, preserving Bhutan’s sacred heritage.
Namgay’s fascination with photorealism has inspired a playful series of paintings where rockets soar alongside traditional Buddhist symbols. His interest in space began in childhood after learning about Apollo 11, and seeing actual rockets at the Smithsonian and Huntsville Space and Rocket Center brought it full circle.
Namgay’s work proposes a visionary path forward, where technological progress and ancient wisdom ascend together, creating positive feng shui for prosperity, long life, and a harmonious future for all.
Some of his artworks feature rockets launching from lotus flowers, Starbucks cups, and even hatching dragons over the ocean—a whimsical fusion of spirituality and space-age imagination. While continuing traditional thangkas, Namgay’s rocket series has become a favourite among visitors to Bhutan.
"Creating a Thangka is a meditation in itself," Lopen Namgay explains. "Every brushstroke carries my karma, and the karma of my family and the patron who commissioned the artwork. Even when I experiment with rockets, I approach each piece with the same care and devotion."
Linda Leaming, Namgay’s wife shared her admiration for her husband's : "Watching Phurba paint is witnessing devotion and imagination at the same time. His ability to honor tradition while exploring playful ideas shows the vitality of Bhutanese art."
Linda Leaming is an acclaimed author who has called Bhutan home for nearly 30 years. Her books "Married to Bhutan" and "A Field Guide to Happiness", capture the spirit, culture, and joy of life in Bhutan. Through her writing and talks, she has introduced Bhutan’s unique heritage to audiences around the world.
As part of the collaboration, both Phurba and Linda will conduct educational programs for Bhutanese schoolchildren. These initiatives are designed to encourage younger generations to take pride in their cultural heritage while exploring the transformative power of art and storytelling.
"Buddhas and Rockets" Art Exhibition by Thangka Artist Phurba Namgay
📍 National Museum of Bhutan, Paro (Gallery Building opposite the main building - Ground Floor Gallery)
🗓 September – November 2025
9.00am to 5.00pm
Last Admission: 4:00 pm
The National Museum is open throughout the week except on government and local holidays.
