From Nepal, with colours and content
RANA SIDDIQUI
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The first ever exhibition of paintings by all Nepalese artists was brought to Delhi this past week courtesy curator Sandeep Magazine.
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TRANSCENDING BOUNDARIES Pradeep Bajracharya's Festive Image.
Delhi saw seven promising contemporary artists from Nepal, all below 35, this past week. But Delhi thought it would see some usual images of Himalayan ranges, some stereotypical, brooding faces of the natives reeling under the ravages of social and political turmoil or may be, some Thangka-blended creations. And hence, only a thin attendance of the city's sceptic art lovers got registered at the Open Palm Court at India Habitat Centre. It was a five-day affair that witnessed the young artists' dexterity at handling of the medium, maturity of content and even fusion. This first-ever exhibition of these Nepalese artists was curated by Sandeep Magazine of Heart and Soul fame. He brought it here in collaboration with APCA (Asia Pacific Communication Associates) and Jasutara Art Foundation, Kathmandu.
Content on canvas
One of the artists, Erina Tamarkar, painting for the last 15 years, brings alive the mother and child bond in strikingly beautiful, mostly blue-green hues; Sunila Bajracharya plays endlessly with female forms, making them greatly stylised and almost icon-like figures. Yet another painter, Bhairaj Maharaj also preoccupies himself with female forms, though he ekes out Newari women attending to daily chores, from carrying firewood to beating rice. His women transcend the geographical boundary because of his treatment of form and palette.
"Your art exude respect," is what Royal Nepalese Consul at Antwerpen, Andre De Jonckheere wrote for him in his diary.
Painter Binod Pradhan's faces narrate his spiritual leanings and Asha Dangol fuses folk art of the native Newari community and religious symbolism. Pradeep K. Bajracharya's canvases brim with the festivities that Newari community indulge in throughout the year. Pramila Shakya's landscapes and `nature and eternity' are abstract works that exude mystic feelings and truly transcend all boundaries.
"We are culturally very strong. So we have lots to paint," says Pradeep.
There are 10 to 12 galleries, big and small in Nepal put together. Private galleries are better equipped to handle exhibitions than the Government ones though they are more spacious, say the artists. "Only a few years ago, painting was not considered a viable option for a living. Now the scene is changing," says Erina. Sandeep took the initiative to bring this first ever show to Delhi after most curators and art galleries refused to "take risk" on assumptions of feeble economic gains. "These Nepalese artists amazed me with their organising capabilities. They are ready with their catalogues, pictures, resume and works unlike many market-driven established artists of today. There is no superficiality and a mad rush in them to capture the market. They paint from their heart despite the surroundings and unfavourable economics of art. I thought of bringing good news to Delhi by showing their works as Nepalese have earned quite a bad name here because of incidents like murders by Nepalese servants in Delhi households. Moreover, Delhi hadn't heard of any Napalese artist except Laxman Shretha so far," adds Sandeep who is also contemplating on documenting their works, a task still not initiated by any curator so far.
All the proceeds of the show have gone to the underprivileged children of artistic community of Jasutara Foundation to "keep the art alive" in Nepal.
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