Watercolour Odyssey kicks off

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 19: An art exhibition, Watercolour Odyssey, began at the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) on Tuesday. 

The exhibition, jointly organised by NAFA and Siddhartha Art Gallery, features an Asian Art Collection showcasing works from 18 artists from China, Bangladesh and Nepal.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Chen Song, the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal.  Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the ambassador said that Nepal, Bangladesh and China are not only geographically close but also share strong cultural and artistic ties.

 He said that such exhibitions further strengthen these relationships.

Lalkaji Lama, Vice-Chancellor of NAFA, said that art bridges world languages and cultures, fostering global unity. He expressed confidence that the exhibition would contribute to cultural exchange and mutual brotherhood among the three countries.

Nandini Lahe-Thapa, Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, said that the exhibition reflects the archaeological and cultural beauty of South Asia through art. 

Likewise, Pradeep Shakya, a member of NAFA’s academic council and the chief curator of the exhibition, likened the artistic collaboration between Nepal, China, and Bangladesh to a diamond, symbolising the strength and brilliance of their triangular relationship. He further added that such exhibitions help nurture skilled watercolourists.

The exhibition features artworks by notable artists, including Abdullah Al Bashir, Kamruzzoha, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Mong Sho, Shahanoor Mamun, Sourav Chowdhury, Chen Liu, Li Hongbing, Li Yixiang, Liang Bingyu, Peng Keyue, Wang Hongyun, Ratan Kumar Rai, D. Ram Palpali, Jeevan Rajopadhyay, Shreejan Rajbhandari, Keshab Raj Khanal, and N B Gurung.

A total of 40 watercolour artworks are on display during the 5-day exhibition, which has been curated by a team comprising Mong Sho, Liang Bingyu, Pradeep Shakya and Saurganga Darshandhari.