Vairocana Buddha by Mukti Singh Thapa

This captivating artwork by master artist Mukti Singh Thapa is of Vairocana, the primordial or supreme Buddha. He is seen as the embodiment of the concept of ‘emptiness’ and is a personification of the dharmakaya - everything, unmanifested, free of characteristics and distinctions. Vairocana is white, representing all colors. This black and white thangka displays Vairocana surrounded by eight bodhisattvas. This piece, painted during his black and white period from 2005 - 2007, displays Thapa's mastery of the 13th - 16th century Newar Design style through its precise lines and expert use of traditional iconography. This original thangka, or paubha in Nepal, was painted in the traditional manner with handmade blank ink on primed white canvas. There is no white pigment used, meaning that even one small slip of the brush will force the artist to destroy the entire work. Additionally, in only painting with black ink, Mukti is painting the negative space with the plain white canvas taking p