Basic Introduction to Rege Art
Rege Art is a significant component of Chinese Tibetan Buddhist art and a widely influential school. It originated in the Longwu River Basin area of Tongren County, Huanan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, from the fifteenth century. For centuries, a large number of artists here have been engaged in folk Buddhist painting and sculpture arts. The sheer number of artisans and the remarkable skills of the group are rare in other Tibetan regions; hence, it is known as the “Land of Tibetan Painters.” The Tongren region is called “Rege” in Tibetan, so this art form is collectively referred to as “Rege Art.”
Diligent Rege artists have traveled across Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, and even to countries like India, Nepal, Thailand, and Mongolia over the centuries, leaving behind numerous exquisite artworks. This unique ancient Tibetan cultural art produces works that are accurately shaped, vividly depicted with meticulous brushwork, brightly colored, and rich in decorative elements. The simple painting style, harmonious color schemes, and lifelike depictions of expressions fully reflect the industrious wisdom and splendid culture of the Tibetan people. Rege Art is a splendid gem in China's cultural treasure trove and a product of the interplay between different Tibetan regions and Han-Tibetan cultures.
On May 20, 2006, Rege Art was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists approved by the State Council.
Product Characteristics
Over its several hundred years of history since its inception, Rege Art has gradually refined and developed into a distinctive ethnic art form. Its works feature accurate and vivid shapes, exquisitely detailed brushwork, bright colors with a strong decorative quality, and effectively utilize line rhythm, motion, and three-dimensionality to emphasize overall perfection. The simple painting style, evenly clean and harmonious coloring, and lifelike depiction of expressions fully reflect the brilliant culture created by the Tibetan people and make it an extraordinary artistic treasure among China's cultural heritage.
History and Folk Customs
Rege Art, which began in the 15th century or earlier, is a significant school of Chinese Tibetan Buddhist art. It mainly includes Thangka paintings, embroidered tapestries, sculptures, architectural frescoes, patterns, butter sculptures, and other art forms. It is named after Rege (meaning “Golden Valley” in Tibetan), located along the Longwu River in Tongren County, Huanan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. In the Tibetan and Tu ethnic villages of Wutun, Nianduhu, Guomari, and Xiasari in the Rege region, most men for centuries have been carrying on the tradition of folk Buddhist painting and sculpture arts originating from religious temples. The sheer number of artisans and the remarkable skills of the group are breathtaking, earning it the reputation as the “Land of Tibetan Painting.” After the 19th century, the works became characterized by bright colors, delicate brush techniques, and a strong pursuit of decorative motifs. Gold was used extensively, giving the artwork a gilded and vibrant effect. Notable figures from this period include Gengzang, Jianmu Cuo, and Xia Wu Cailang (who assisted Zhang Daqian in copying murals in Dunhuang during the 1940s). Their works feature well-arranged compositions, meticulously modeled yet not rigid figures, bright and harmonious colors, and a strong decorative quality. The artwork appears unified yet lively, achieving a remarkable artistic effect. As a school within Tibetan Buddhist art, Rege Art stands out from other Tibetan regions, and its works are instantly recognizable as masterpieces from the Rege area.