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Kathmandu,Tuesday May 23, 2000 Jestha 10, 2057.
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In gratitude
Since Jan Salter’s "Faces of Nepal" series came out in the
market, her name has become a household name for the lovers of art in Nepal and abroad.
Recently, Salter had exhibited her paintings at the NAFA Hall, Balmandir, Naxal. I made an
attempt to go and see her paintings. On the drive back home, my heart was filled with
admiration and respect for Jan Salter not only for her paintings but also for her genuine
human feelings for the Nepalese as well.
One of her titles was "Faces of Nepal" which portrayed the
faces of the different ethnic groups of Nepal. It is a matter of honour she chose to
travel to the urban and remote parts of Nepal in order to draw and paint. While talking to
her in person, it was obvious that she seemed to have an extensive knowledge of the
various ethnic groups of Nepal.
The other paintings titled "All Our Daughters" were
paintings of the girls who had been victims of trafficking. The pictures were so moving,
poignant and touching that they could move people to tears.
She hopes that her paintings will invoke feelings of personal
awareness on the horror of the horrors that can happen to the vulnerable young women of
Nepal. There were some posters on sale and on inquiry, I found that the contribution made
on the sales would go to help the girls in Maiti Nepal, a social organization that fights
crime against women and children.
Even though she is a non-Nepali, she has taken keen interest and has
taken trouble to draw the "Faces of Nepal" (in general) and also faces of the
unfortunate "Daughters of Nepal."
I, on behalf of the entire Nepalese people, would like to thank her
for truly depicting the faces and for more truly depicting her feelings and concern for
the ill-fated chhoris of Nepal.
Moheindu Chemjong
Kathmandu |
