WANG KAIHAO/CHINA DAILY

"All those paintings give me a lot of positive energy," she says. "And they represent very interesting philosophy. It is usually just fun stuff for foreigners, but this time I really feel I am a local here."

An exhibition featuring 80 pieces of contemporary thangka from Kelsang Dawa's painting center is to be shown in the Cultural Palace of Nationalities in Beijing soon.

"It's a privilege to be recognized by national-level institutions," he says.

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If you go

Contemporary Thangka Art Exhibition

9 am-4 pm, free entry, Nov 16-23. 49 Fuxingmennei Street, exhibition hall of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities. 010-8319-5500.