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VOL. 27, NO. 31, April 18, 2008 (Baishakh 06 2065 B.S.)
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EXPOSITION
On Violence
Artist Loren Beven's paintings explain forms of violence
By A CORRESPONDENT
It is very difficult to describe the forms of violence as they have several facets. Whatever the facets of violence, they involve killings and devastation of human beings, nature and other such forms.
Every artist and poet has his/her own way of explaining the social reality, nature, religion, human behavior and other such forms. By closely observing all these incidents, artists and poets can explain what these events are all about.
In her exhibition, Splatter Analysis, artist Loren Beven dissects violence to give it a whole new meaning. Her various paintings depict forms and contents of violence.
One cannot predict how violence occurs but human society has bitter experience regarding its implications. The violence has always terrible sign of devastation, destruction and trauma.
This is what artist Loren Beven's explains in her paintings. Exhibited at the wall of Siddhartha Art Gallery in Babarmahal, artist Beven opens her minds with the black humor of violence.
"It's interesting how violence leaves its mark and they become part of myths and our culture and that becomes part of our identity," said Beven. "I am interested in the fallout from violence in different ways, like the lyrics of the songs we sing when military camouflage becomes fashionable."
In all her paintings, she uses different media and forms. One of her paintings was screen prints on aluminum. She portrayed king Birendra and Maoist leader Prachanda. The picture of king Birendra was of his earlier years.
There are also some collections of Nepali trekking maps with painted images of violence, some are twirling lyrics songs about violence like Mao said. And there is the hanging silver revolver with a black flag saying paribartan (change) on the barrel.
"I don't poke fun or criticize with interpretations of violence in a sarcastic way but rather shed another light on the topic through black humor," said artist.
According to the artist, black humor takes sheds of another light. It is supposed to enlighten and allow you to understand through humor. She constructs the remnants of violence, not as we know it but as we wear it in camouflage, hear it in the names of landscapes and trace it from the history.
Although her topic of painting is very difficult to explain, Beven is able to explain what she calls black humor. For the visitors, the paintings are worthy to watch. From nature to symbol and portrait of various faces, Beven depicts the forms of violence and its implications in society in her way.
Whether in the early face of the portrait of late king and queen Birendra and Aishwarya or Maoist leader Prachanda, Beven sees all of them differently. The exhibition will be on till April 23.
