Art is the only thing that will survive generations

Shashi Kala Tiwari’s paintings take you to another realm where you would like to be for a long time. The floating dreamy quality of her paintings that unfold layer after layer speak of the uniqueness of its creator. "Shashikala’s bright fluid works have a symbolist feel and one dark sinous woodland scene is charged with the intensity of Munch" - City Limits, London, June 1985. She earned her Bachelor of fine arts in painting from M.S.University, Baroda, India. Today she holds the position of Art Officer at Department of Printing, Ministry of Information and Communication HMG, Nepal. Shashi Kala (51), has held numerous group and solo exhibitions of her works in Kathmandu, India, Dhaka, Germany, Japan, Seoul, London and other places. She has also a number of awards from Nepal to her credit. Presently she is a co-runner of the Siddhartha art gallery in Babar Mahal in Kathmandu. The Independent spoke to the artist recently. The excerpts:

Q: Why do you paint?
A: I started painting when I was very young. I really do not know why I paint but I like doing it. I was a great scribbler at school. The sides of my notebooks used to be all covered by tiny drawings.

Q: Your exhibitions are rather far spaced. Why is that?
A: I am a slow painter. Sometimes, it takes me as long as ten years to put up an exhibition. If you look at the clouds that I’ve painted, you can see that there are different shades, different feel, to each wisp of cloud. In addition, there are also the myriad layers that keep changing in a minute. To portray all that takes time. Another factor is that I’m not very ambitious and so do not drive myself as hard as I should. My job and family takes up a lot of my time.

Q: What inspires you?
A: Many things. Mountains and landscapes never fail to attract me. Some time back when my leg was fractured, I could see only the top of a tree from my bed. The branches, the falling leaves held its own identity for me. Small things like rotting leaves, dead birds, insects, and many other things around me inspire me. One thing that has never inspired me and probably never will is politics.

Q: Art was not a favorite subject to be pursued at the time when you went for it. Were your parents supportive of your decision?
A: I was born into a family where gender discrimination did not exist. All my brothers and sisters are professionals in their own right today. People outside my family did voice their negative opinion to my father regarding my choice of study. They said it was the least lucrative job of all. And I still remember my father’s answer to them. He told them, "just wait and see there will come a time in future when she will be rich and famous and our family will be known by her name". My father was convinced that art had its place in the future. Today, he has been proven right though he is no more.

Q: How did it feel when you earned a major chunk of money by selling your painting?
A: I still remember, a Canadian bought four or five of my paintings for a hundred dollars each. I was thrilled then.

Q: Do Nepalis buy your painting?
A: Yes, they do. Recently, a Nepali bought one for Rs. 50,000. Almost all are from the private sector. There are some who request me to paint smaller ones that is within their budget. If I feel that they are really art lovers, I happily oblige.

Q: Can artists survive by selling art only?
A: Art is creating its market today. I know it is not easy but there are quite a few artists who are making a comfortable living out of art only. I would not know much about it since I have not had to struggle since I have a job to fall back on and my family.

Q: Art is rather sidelined by the public as well as the government. What do you have to say about it?
A: Art is the only thing that will survive generations long gone and that will survive today as it is. We must realise that. Art transcends all barriers and can reach all corners of the earth and speak for its artists and the country they come from. Even a small country like ours can make its mark by making its art and artists known. I realised it when I was in other countries. They appreciated the quality of my painting and compared it to the best ones of theirs. That made me proud as you well know the artists here receive hardly any facility or encouragement.

Q: What is the definition of an artist?
A: Mere selling of your art does not make one an artist. Selling of course is important but more important is the perseverance, dedication and practice that you put in your art. It has to be constantly honed, polished.

Q: What kind of attitudinal problems have you faced here?
A: Most Nepalis raise their eyebrows when faced with a high priced painting by a fellow Nepali. On the other hand, they accept it when it is done by a foreign artist. This irks me. The labour, the painstaking process is the same whether it is by a local or a non-local, so why this discriminatory attitude? If we do not support and encourage each other, what kind of picture would it present to the outsiders? If I’m looked down on or not given due attention in my own home, how many outsiders would pay me attention? The reaction is not explicit but I myself have sensed the feeling. Many foreigners have asked me why the Nepali embassies do not put up Nepali paintings instead of the mountain posters and a few cards only that they put up on their walls. They ask me why they do not promote the Nepali artists and I have no answer to that. I would like to assert, that respect must come for Nepalis from the Nepalis first.

Q: It seems that among the common people, art does not command much attention in their daily lives. What do you have to say about that?
A: Art is as important to a human soul as is food and water. It is nourishment to the soul. We do not seem to realise this and tend to laugh off art as something not worthwhile. Art should be respected as should all other subjects, knowledge or skill. This should be taught at homes and at school levels. We should also respect the fact that nothing that is forced down your throat will be appreciated or will last long. Children should be free to choose what they want to learn according to their capabilities.

Q: How can art be promoted here?
A: Due to lack of adequate facilities, we have not been able to go far with the only art college that we have; and for the same reason not been able to produce quality artists. I also do not like the tendency that is prevailing here; that of looking for donors for every little thing. We do need funds but it does not mean we become totally dependent on others or become parasites. We also have to learn to do with our resources. We may be poor materially but it saddens me to see us becoming poor mentally and spiritually. We are turning into a saleable commodity, everything is up for sale. What about the inner us that is not for sale?

Q: Is there cooperation among the artists here?
A: We do help each other out and do not fight among ourselves. However, the atmosphere that encourages interaction is lacking here. Disagreements do take place everywhere and I do not call that not being cooperative. I think the idea that artists do not get along with each other has been grossly exaggerated.