Karmapa Gyüpa: The Sacred Line of the Black Hat Opens at Gallery 108

Culture and Tradition
The Buzz Nepal
August 21 , 2025

Gallery 108 has opened its doors to Karmapa Gyüpa: The Sacred Line of the Black Hat, a remarkable exhibition of thangka paintings by artist Jigme Tamang Mugum. Running from August 22 to October 19, 2025, the exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to journey through the unbroken lineage of the Karmapas, the spiritual leaders of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

The collection, born from five years of dedicated effort, began with a single commissioned thangka of the 15th Karmapa by Curio Concern. As the project evolved, Jigme Tamang Mugum expanded his vision to encompass the entire lineage, portraying both the Karmapas and their revered teachers. Each painting embodies devotion, scholarship, and the centuries-old artistry of thangka and paubha traditions.

The exhibition space at Gallery 108 is designed to deepen the viewer’s engagement. Himalayan brocade frames lend an aura of elegance to each thangka, while a meditation corner invites quiet reflection. An accompanying audiovisual presentation offers context and insight into the Karmapa lineage, allowing visitors to connect not just visually but spiritually with the works.

The artist, Jigme Tamang Mugum, hails from Mugu in Karnali, Nepal. He began training in thangka painting between 1987 and 1992 under Lama Urgen. Over decades, he has refined his mastery of sacred themes, composition, and color harmony, drawing inspiration from the Karma Gadri tradition, established by the 8th Karmapa Mikyö Dorje. His works reflect both artistic precision and spiritual depth, serving as a homage to the Karmapa lineage.

The project draws upon key references such as The Illustrated Lives of the Five Kagyu Forefathers and the Seventeen Karmapas, with guidance and support from Thrangu Choling Monastery, Boudha. Commissioned by Curio Concern and presented by Gallery 108, the series underscores Jigme’s lifelong dedication to preserving and presenting Buddhist art in its authentic form.

Karmapa Gyüpa is more than an exhibition; it is an invitation to contemplate, connect, and encounter the living spirit of Buddhist tradition through art.

Exhibition Details