Bagmati Provincial Fine Art Exhibition begins

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 11: Bagmati Provincial Fine Art Exhibition 2081 began on Monday at the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) in Kathmandu.

After completing exhibitions in other provinces, the academy inaugurated a five-day art exhibition in Bagmati Province to promote local artists and their work.

 Last year, NAFA initiated the provincial art exhibitions to provide opportunities for artists, especially those from rural areas, and to explore the hidden artworks and artistes from such areas. 

The exhibition was inaugurated by former NAFA Chancellor Kiran Manandhar, who praised the exhibitions held in various provinces. 

In his remarks, he compared artists to farmers, stating that just as farmers must understand the soil to cultivate crops, artists must understand their homeland to create meaningful art.

NAFA Chancellor Naradmani Hartamchali emphasised that the exhibition, organised with the core spirit of social transformation through fine arts, would contribute to the growth of the sector in Bagmati Province. 

He also highlighted the need for more research and exploration in fine arts, particularly in Bagmati, which is rich in artistic heritage.

Lal Kaji Lama, Vice Chancellor and Coordinator of the Bagmati Province Coordination Committee, said that the provincial exhibition had revitalised the field of fine arts. He stressed the importance of showcasing indigenous art and craftsmanship at the grassroots level.

Similarly, Dr. Yam Prasad Sharma, Head of the Fine Arts Campus, Bhotahiti, expressed that the exhibition had generated enthusiasm and presented diverse artistic perspectives.

During the ceremony, several artists who have significantly contributed to Nepal’s fine arts sector were honoured. 

These include Julum Lal Chitrakar, Bhola Poudyal, Sharda Man Shrestha, Sushma Rajbhandari, Sunita Rana, Dharma Bahadur Tamang, and Sarita Dangol.

Likewise, amid the event, ‘Lalitkala Pragya’, a peer-reviewed research journal published by the academy was also unveiled. The exhibition showcases 239 artworks by 207 artists from the province and will run until March 14. 

The diverse range of artworks, including contemporary painting/sculpture, traditional painting/sculpture, folk art, handicraft, architecture, and other creative arts, are being displayed in the exhibition.

The exhibition’s curation has been coordinated by Academy Assembly Member Sundar Singh Kanwal, with Rajani Singh Kanwal and Sabina Tamang as curators. The Nepal Tourism Board is the promoter of the exhibition.