From Abandoned Babe to Bhutan’s Foot‑Powered Picasso
Picture a little kid born into a world that didn’t pick him up, yet somehow grew into a celebrated painter and wood‑carver—using only his feet as his hands. That’s the story of Pema Tshering, a 31‑year‑old artist with cerebral palsy who has carved a niche for himself in Bhutan’s art scene.
Early Years & the Queen Mother’s Surprise
- Abandoned at birth, Pema’s fate seemed sealed… until the Queen Mother stepped in and adopted him.
- His path from playground to paint‑brush was anything but ordinary.
Feet in Charge
Paralysed from the hip up, Pema never let a physical limitation stop him. Instead, he turned his feet into his creative power‑tools. With a chisel in one foot and a hammer in the other, he carves intricate designs and paints striking religious scenes.
Marketplace Muscles
Every day, Pema sells his masterpieces in a small shop tucked inside the Simply Bhutan museum in Thimphu. Fresh out of the workshop? He’s ready to be sold!
Paralympic Pride
- Beyond art, he represented Bhutan in the 2005 Paralympics as a national archer.
- Talk of his precision and optimism at the shooting range still echoes in local lore.
When we strolled Thimphu’s cobblestone streets, someone cheekily declared, “Pema is a celebrity in Bhutan!” They were right—his magnetic mix of resilience, humor, and sheer artistic flair has earned him a spot in the hearts (and galleries) of many.
Endurance, strength, and a whole lot of “just keep moving” is what Pema’s story is all about. An inspiration that shows the human spirit can truly thrive, no matter how many of our joints we can’t use.
From Being Sidelined to Making a Mark
Early Life on the Edge
Born in the quiet hills of Mongar, Pema was the youngest of a farm‑working family. Twenty‑five years from now, he’d walk with his feet acting as hands – a move that’d surprise anyone who didn’t know the story.
- At just six years old, his parents, faced with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, chose to leave him behind.
- In addition to the condition, a congenital spinal twist left his legs feeling more like instruments than limbs.
- Left to the care of grandparents, he turned his village into a bamboo workshop, crafting bows and arrows for twenty good years.
A Chance Encounter
One day, a queen stepped into his life. At 18, Queen Mother Tshering Pem Wangchuk paid a visit to the village and was struck by Pema’s resilience.
“He was happy and excited,” he told the Bhutan Times. “When I asked if he needed anything, he simply said he wanted to get an education. No money, no fancy… just a chance to learn.”
The Right Path Forward
The monarchy stepped in, offering him a scholarship to the Institute of Zorig Chusum in Thimphu, Bhutan’s leading arts school. There, he learned to carve and paint—skills that became both a passion and a profession.
- His choice to pursue art was practical and poignantly fitting.
- From foot‑crafted arrows to brush‑stroked masterpieces, his journey is a testament to overcoming odds with courage and a bit of whimsy.
Now, a Spotlight on Pema
Pema’s story reminds us that talent can bloom from the most unexpected places. After years of ridicule, he’s now carving his name—literally—into the world of Bhutanese art.
Captured by the Bhutan Times for a one‑of‑a‑kind photo report.
Pema: The Unconventional Art Whisperer
Picture this: a guy who never stepped foot in a classroom, who never once spilled a drop of knowledge in an academic setting, yet somehow became a master of carving and painting. That’s Pema, the proud vendor of tiny wooden wonders and mighty thangkas at a humble craft stall funded by the Queen Mother of Bhutan.
How He Made His First Dollar
Pema opened his workshop, and since then he’s been selling everything from jaunty wooden trinkets to hefty, sacred canvases. Prices hover like this:
- Small wooden craftwork: 600 Nu (≈ S$11.80)
- Mid‑scale piece: 10,000 Nu (≈ S$197.00)
- Grand thangka painting: 25,000 Nu (≈ S$293.45)
With those commissions, he nets at least $100 (≈ S$134) every month.
When Time Feels Like a Dragon
He tells us that, while it’s mostly a joyride, the grind can feel like chasing a dragon. A tiny wooden piece takes around three days; larger ones stretch to a week. As for those mystical thangkas, their creation is a marathon—two to three weeks of painstaking effort. These timelines aren’t just numbers; they’re the rhythm of Pema’s craft.
Artistry That Looks Like a Mystery
At first glance, you might think the hand of a seasoned artist did this. But underneath, it’s a passionate soul who once didn’t know how to sharpen a pencil.
- He sketches dragons that roar in the mind
- Floral patterns that bloom with petal precision
- Eight Auspicious Signs that whisper ancient blessings
His portfolio is not just local—he even exhibited his thangkas in New Delhi during 2010.
Hiding Behind the of Family
Despite a tumultuous childhood tucked away by parents who, at one point, decided to abandon him, Pema now supports them back. He says,
“If you don’t help your parents, you’re basically saying ‘You’re not in my life. I can’t trust you.’ Respect is the key to success in any job you pick, and that starts at home.”
By turning raw wood into art and paying the bills, Pema proves that a simple childhood, no school records, and a little grit can carve a lucrative path—one wooden plank at a time.
Meet Pema: From Archery Champion to Home‑Building Hero
Pema is currently giving his radiator a full makeover: the local Mongar community can expect a brand‑new two‑story house by the time the last plank is nailed. He says the project is “almost finished,” but his real pride lies in the people he’s built it for.
Family Drama — With a Twist of Emotion
When asked if he’s holding a grudge against his parents, Pema chuckled and confessed,
“I’m not really angry with them. I’m just sad…if they’d sent me to school instead of dumping me, I’d be happier.”
He added that his parents now feel proud of his journey. Turns out, hope is a powerful rebuild.
Back on the Target (Archery) Lane
In 2005, Pema was a star in the Bhutanese Paralympics, shooting arrows high and proud. He didn’t snag a medal, but he took home a bright certificate of participation. He proudly points to the framed diplomas in his workshop, a reminder of the long‑range shots that shaped his dreams.
- Archery is still a part of his life — the hobby that kept his wrist sharp.
- He’s eyeing the next Paralympic event, eager to test himself again.
So whether it’s a sturdy house or a well‑aimed arrow, Pema keeps aiming for a future that’s brighter than the one before.
Dreams in the Mountains
Picture this: a spry artist named Pema standing in the misty hills of Bhutan, armed with a sketchpad and a fire‑inside that could rival a dragon. Even when the world feels a bit too tight‑knotted around his ambitions, he’s got his sights set on something larger than life.
What Pema Really Wants
- Art teacher – “I have zero students right now, but that’s the future!”
- Spend a few seasons in New York learning paint‑mixing tricks before returning home.
- Launch his own carving venture, because who doesn’t love turning wood into stories?
The Toughest Time? “Schoollessness”
Pema confesses that the hardest stretch was when he wasn’t getting an education. He’d love to have been a teacher or maybe a minister—yes, a minister! He chuckles, “Why a minister? To help the needy, of course!”
Workshop Spotlight
All of this creativity boils down at Simply Bhutan in Thimphu, where the “Foot Craft” workshop is a hot spot for aspiring artisans.
