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Kalsang Dawa (1972–2025) was a Tibetan Thangka artist. Born in Tibet, he began his studies in traditional Tibetan art at the age of fourteen in Lhasa. He first apprenticed by drawing and painting designs in temples and houses, as well as on traditional Tibetan furniture. He later settled in Dharamsala, India where he joined the Thangka Painting School at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. He studied under the guidance of Master Thangka artist, Venerable Sangye Yeshe, the former personal painter for the 14th Dalai Lama. Kalsang was a traditional artist of a new age - having to live in exile from his homeland, yet maintaining a profound commitment to preserving the integrity of the tradition of Tibetan art.

In 1998, he moved to Vancouver, Canada, and also started creating works of contemporary art. Kalsang exhibited his paintings at the Royal British Columbia Museum and delivered talks and has a permanent installation at the Saint Norbert Arts Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dawa’s paintings are in monasteries and private collections in India, Europe, Japan, Canada, and the United States. He passed away in January 2025 in Vancouver.

Died: 2025-01-01