Sonam Wangchuck was born in the Amdo region of Tibet. He grew up in the grasslands, but left his family to attend school in the city. Sonam attended school in China through class 9--before being admitted to art school.

In 1998 Sonam enrolled in Artists College in Shanghai, he graduated in 2001.

In the winter of 2006, Sonam crossed over the Himalayas on foot. When he arrived in India in November he attended Tibetan Transit School (TTS) for 2 years.

After completing his studies at TTS he attended an art school, for Thangka painters, in Manali. He left Manali because he was interested in pursing contemporary art.

In his art he strives to show viewers different aspects of his homeland in order to give them a sense of Tibet’s cultural identity.