Art in Nepal – A Creative Means of Expression

Art and culture have always flourished in Nepal. Moreover, the Himalayan nation has always welcomed art with open arms, both national and international art.

Tapping on this love for art, the International Watercolor Society (IWS)– Nepal is organizing the 2^nd edition of International Watercolor Festival in Kathmandu from December 04-09, 2018.

The Nepal Art Council at Babarmahal will showcase 270 watercolor works on paper by artists from 38 countries including Albania, Australia, America, Bangladesh, China, Germany, India, Mongolia, Nepal and UK.

Thirteen Nepal-based and international artists painted their artworks at the venue on the event’s first day.

As part of the event, special programs and an art workshop will be held in Lumbini on December 4^th and 5^th, 2018 where artists will display their artworks on canvas said IWS-Nepal Society Chair NB Gurung.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ishwor Pokhrel expressed hope that this type of events will be supportive in promoting Nepal tourism.

“Nepal is naturally a picturesque country,” Pokhrel said.

IWS-Nepal Society General Secretary Deependraman Banepali said that one of the festival’s objectives is to make foreigners know about Nepal’s natural beauty and tourism.

Patan – Global Arts Collaboration
Patan, known for its creative streak is home to different expressions of art and that’s why 57 artists from around the world came together to add further charm to this city of art.

Micro Galleries, free global arts initiative uses art to instill positive change.

These artists met with the aim to start an artistic movement in Patan’s different localities with murals, installations, paintings, stickers and sketches that were put up for display.

Local co-organizer ‘Kaalo.101 collaborated with the movement to setup an open space, non-commercial creative space for artists to work, discuss and exhibit.

“It is a great experience to be a part of an international project. Many young and experienced artists came together to contribute for a social change. As aimed by the project, it was more of a learning and exchanging process,” said one of the artists, Helena Asha Knox.

A few Nepali artists used engraving as their medium of expression. “The concept of the collaboration was ‘Empower’, which also could be observed in most of the arts,” says artist Rimishna Manandhar.

“My art (The Secret Room) depicts the idea of Lakhe of Patan possessing human-like features and being familiar to the human society. As Lakhes are viewed with a sense of secrecy, the art portrayed the same,” he adds while speaking of his artwork.

“Open art is a bit challenging in terms of the fact that there are people included in it. As we painted the walls of the locality, people grew keen and considerate until they actually figured out the idea behind the initiative,” shares one of the artists Aditya Aryal.