Saturday Plein Air emerges platform for art enthusiasts

By Renuka Dhakal, Kathmandu, Sept 8: Every Saturday, artists assemble in an open area and create artwork using vibrant colours and brushes.

Last Saturday, about 15 artists were seen deeply engrossed in observing the heritage of Pachali Ghat in Teku. They were there to capture the cultural treasures on their canvases with each creating works from their unique perspectives.

The group of artists is called Saturday Plein Air. They have been crafting artwork every Saturday for five years. They have, of late, been creating works under the ‘Bagmati Civilization Series’, focusing on the heritage sites.  

Their artworks showcase the stunning architecture of temples, the serene Bagmati River, and the vast blue sky.

Dibesh Pradhan, one of the initiators of the group, said that they initiated their outdoor painting practice on September 1, 2018, under the name ‘Saturday Plein Air’.

 While studying at Nepal Fine Arts, they had begun painting outdoors spontaneously, and that was how the concept of Saturday Plein Air came into existence, said Pradhan.

Rakesh Chandra Shrestha, Dipendra Man Banepali and Dibesh initiated Saturday Plein Air without a concrete plan for its continuity.

Over the years, more artists joined the group, and its activity flourished. In their early days, a foreigner approached them, inquiring about their works and even purchased a painting at a nominal price, shared Pradhan.  

This act bolstered their enthusiasm to continue with Saturday Plein Air. Subsequently, they created a Facebook group, which led to its swelling with more artists joining the team.

After 12 weeks of diligent effort, they showcased their creations in an exhibition titled ‘Moment with Heritage’ at the Nepal Art Council in 2018. 

Following that, they focused on the Bhaktapur series, spending 12 weeks there and later presented an exhibition of their works in the Bisket Jatra of 2019.  Subsequently, the Kathmandu University's School of Arts began sending students to collaborate with them. The group then embarked on the Thimi series and displayed their artwork to the public. As their reputation grew, numerous rural municipalities from outside the valley extended invitations. They held Saturday Plein Air sessions in places like Bhotekoshi, Rasuwa (including Betrawoti and Kalika Rural Municipalities), Janakpur, and Panauti outside the Kathmandu Valley.

The term, ‘Plein Air’ meaning ‘open air’ originates from France as an art campaign. 

‘Plein Air’ signifies the practice of painting outdoors, where artists capture the landscape and natural light directly from the scene. This stands in contrast to studio painting, where artists often depend on sketches, memory or photographs.

After working for five years, the group has recently registered this campaign as a non-profit organisation as Saturday Plein Air. They have done Swayambhu, Bhaktapur, Tokha, Thimi, and Kirtipur series so far. 

The group aims to demonstrate how art can be made accessible to the broader public while also visually documenting cultural heritage. In galleries, art is often limited to the elites, but by showcasing it in open spaces, it resonates with the wider public and emphasises that art reflects the everyday life of ordinary people, they said.

They have also revitalised the ancient paintings of the Narayanhity Museum and undertaken Saturday Plein Air at both  Chhauni and Hanuman Dhoka Museums. “We are a group of driven artists who independently fund our artwork,” said Dibesh. 

Rakesh Chandra Shrestha, Chairman of Saturday Plein Air, expressed that when painting in open spaces, they had the opportunity to closely observe nature. The natural colours are ever-evolving, and their aim is to capture the essence of the changing hues.

“Creating art in a studio is in stark contrast to what open spaces present. In the studio, they focus on composition, meaning their work adheres to a specific theme. However, when working in open spaces, they have the freedom to create more spontaneously and without the constraints of a predefined theme,” said Shrestha.

The artworks produced during the Saturday Plein Air are not only sold but also showcased in exhibitions. The group has already presented their work in six exhibition series.  

Recently, they formed a collaboration with the Indian artists who are part of the Cholamandal Artists’ Village of Chennai, India.

Shrestha mentioned that anyone with an interest in art is welcome to join and collaborate with them.  Dibesh Pradhan added that engaging in art practice also draws the attention of the general public, encouraging them to come and explore the world of art. 

He further explained that despite their busy schedules for six days a week, Saturday art practice helps rejuvenate their creative energy. 

Rubin Bahadur, who has been part of the group for three years and hails from Banepa, first learned about this group through Facebook.

Initially,  he used to focus on drawing rather than painting, but after joining the group his passion for artwork was revitalised, he said

He also attended the Nepal Fine Arts Academy for approximately 10 months in 1997. But he was out of the art for two decades. However, he has now rekindled his passion for art and has created over 100 artworks, finding immense joy in the process.

Punya Ram Tamang from Bhaktapur has been a part of this group since its inception. He has chosen art as his profession and has actively participated in both national and international art exhibitions. When collaborating with the group, he notes that they often explore similar colour palettes and themes, but when they are out in the field, numerous changes and inspirations emerge.

The group has plans to conduct art workshops and establish an art institute in the future.