Thanka Conservation Training Program

A one month course in thangka conservation will be held in the city of Kangding on the eastern Tibetan plateau. Two expert conservators will teach 4-5 Tibetan students how to clean, repair, re-line, and store ancient thangkas. The course will be given in July 1999, and the total budget is about $20,000.

In 1995 Kham Aid Foundation president Pamela Logan arranged for a series of lectures at the Kangding Tibetan School on art conservation. The lectures were given by Italian experts Carlo Giantomassi and Donatella Zari to about 25 students. Also attending were two professors from the nearby Kangding Teacher Training College as well as noted Tibetan artist Nyima Tsering. At the conclusion of the lectures, Zari and Giantomassi brought out their brushes and solvents and demonstrated how dirt can be removed from a couple of thangkas that students had brought from home. Although time limitations allowed only small portions of the thangkas to be cleaned, the demonstration amazed and excited the audience. The team learned that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of families in the area possess ancient thangkas which they had hidden during the destructive chaos of the Cultural Revolution. It was apparent from the great age of the thangkas brought out, and their poor condition, that there is an enormous need for conservators. Even proper storage technique was unknown to the Tibetans who came to the lectures. Teacher Norbu of the Tibetan School made a solemn request to Logan for a training program in thangka conservation, so native Tibetans can learn the art of preserving their own cultural heritage.

Giantomassi and Zari estimate that a training course would require one month to complete. One-on-one instruction is crucial, so two foreign experts can teach at most 4-5 students. July is the best time for such a course because college students are then in recess from their normal studies. Accordingly, the course is scheduled for July, 1998. Most of the materials needed can be purchased in Chengdu, the provincial capital which lies one day's drive away.

American expert, Karen Yager, will lead the program. She will be assisted by a yet-to-be identified second conservator. Translation will be provided by Mr. Wu Bangfu, who has participated in prior conservation work at Baiya Monastery. The students will be selected and led by Ms. Deshi Yangjin, the top student in the mural conservation program. The course will be hosted by the Kangding Tibetan School.

Wages                                                    

                                                         

Head conservator (Yager)   5 weeks @ $800/week      4000 

Assistant conservator      5 weeks @ $700/week      3500 

Interpreter                one month                 500 

Student leader stipend     one month x 1 px          100 
(Yangjin)                                                

Student stipend            one month x 4 px          200 

                                                         

Transportation                                           

Air fare  USA-Chengdu RT   $1600 x 2 px             3200 

Car Chengdu-Kangding RT    $800 each way            1600 

Air transit overnight      2 @ $120                  240 
stops                                                    

                                                         

Subsistence                                              

Food and lodging           35 days x $40/day x      2800 
                           2px                           

                                                         

Conservation materials                              5000 

                                                         

Visas, permits, insurance                            200 

                                                         

Total itemized budget                              22740 

                                                         

Administrative overhead                       $     5685 
(25%)                                                    

                                                         

TOTAL                                         $    27025