Inheritor of Wire Inlay Thangka preserves craft in Qinghai

(ECNS) -- Wire Inlay Thangka, infused with modern technologies, is a pure handmade artwork inlaid with gold foil and gold wire using fine craftsmanship.

Sonam Droma is an intangible cultural inheritor of Wire Inlay Thangka in Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province.

After several days of meticulous work, delicate Wire Inlay Thangka paintings with a glittering, translucent and sparkling look would gradually take shape.

There are five procedures in Qinghai's Wire Inlay Thangka handicrafts, including finalizing the design, wire inlaying, drawing, shaping and framing. Among these, wire inlaying and blue coloring differs from traditional techniques.

Each procedure is very complicated and requires enough patience and meticulousness.

To make a complicated Thangka usually takes three months to half a year. If less complex, around 20 days or a month.

Showing an interest in traditional culture and painting when she was young, she embarked on a journey of self-education to acquire the technique of wire inlay Thangka in 2007. Later, she became a lecturer on wire inlay Thangka.

Since 2015, Droma has trained more than 2400 people. Many have learned the craft. Some have even become wire inlay Thangka teachers, while others started their own entrepreneurship, or chose to work in her studio.