Himalayan Art Festival from today

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, Aug. 24: The Himalayan Art Festival is set to take place at the Nepal Art Council in Babarmahal from August 24 to 30.  The exhibition is an annual event organised by E-Arts Nepal every year on the occasion of Dashain festival.  

Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, Asha Dangol, Co-founder of E-Arts Nepal, informed about the exhibition and shared the unique aspects of the festival. She said, “While many fairs occur during Dashain, none of them truly showcased Nepali art. In response to this gap, E-Arts Nepal initiated the festival in 2017, driven by the contemporary context and the encouragement of Nepali artists.”

The primary objective of this exhibition, according to artist Dangol, is to adorn Nepali homes with local artworks. In the past, purchasing Nepali art was considered challenging, but now, these artworks will be available at attractive prices, catering to middle-class families, she added.

Over 80 artists will be exhibiting their artworks in the exhibition this year.  A total of 50 artists participated in the festival in 2017.Dangol said that they have been talking to various organisations of artists in Kathmandu Valley seeking their support since 2018. 

The current exhibition encompasses a diverse array of artistic genres. Works from both senior and contemporary Nepali artists will be on display. Artists Krishna Manandhar, Kiran Manandhar, Shashikala Tiwari, Rajan Kafle, Asha Dangol, Erina Tamrakar, Bhairaj Marhajan, Pramila Bajracharya, Pradip Bajracharya, Binod Pradhan, Jupiter Pradhan, Bidhata KC, Sagar Manandhar, Ujay Bajracharya, Sarita Dongol, Ishan Pariyar, Sabita Dangol, Sujan Dangol and Muna Bhadel are displaying their works. 

An additional highlight of the event is the dedicated space for senior artists, where their artwork will be prominently showcased, read the press release.  Bhairaj Marhajan, co-founder of E-Arts Nepal, said that this year, the artwork of senior artist and sculptor Professor Govind Narayan Jyapoo will be featured in the special section.

The exhibition boasts about the participation of artists representing the mountains, hills, and Terai regions of Nepal, he added. Erina Tamrakar, another participating artist and co-founder of E-Arts Nepal, emphasised the significant involvement of women artists in the event.

The seven-day festival promises a dynamic and lively atmosphere, enriched by various art-related activities such as Art Talk, Guided Tours, and the Prashanta Scholarship Award, read the press statement.