Karma Sichoe is a Tibetan thangka painter, contemporary artist, teacher, activist, and co-founder of Dolls4Tibet, a social enterprise employing local women to create culturally rooted dolls for Tibetan children. Raised and educated at the Tibetan Children’s Village in Dharamshala, Karma began painting at a young age. At fifteen, he entered formal training in thangka painting at the Center for Tibetan Arts and Crafts, where he became one of the last students of Master Rigzin Paljor, a former court painter of the Potala Palace. Under his guidance, Karma completed the rigorous six-year thangka course in two and a half years, later joining the Norbulingka Institute before establishing his own studio.

His practice moves between the discipline of traditional Buddhist art and the freedom of contemporary visual expression. He has undertaken commissions for monasteries, schools, and private collectors, and continues to teach thangka painting to individual students through private classes and workshops.

Alongside his artistic work, Karma has been a lifelong advocate for Tibet’s freedom. As a founding member of Students for a Free Tibet India and the Tibetan Youth Congress, he took part in major campaigns and demonstrations, including the 1998 hunger strike unto death, where he was the youngest of six participants. He has spoken at institutions across North America and India, using art and activism to share the Tibetan story.

Since 2008, Karma has explored contemporary visual art more deeply, experimenting with the relationship between Buddhist imagery, exile, memory, and political resistance. In 2016, he was invited as a fellow at the Vermont Studio Center Residency, where he continued developing this dialogue between thangka tradition and contemporary art. His work has been exhibited internationally, and one of his paintings is permanently displayed at the Tibet Museum.

Karma lives and works in Dharamshala with his family. His work is shaped by a deep commitment to the Tibetan cause and by a belief in creative, non-violent responses to the political and cultural challenges of our world.