NATIONAL7 (Spotlight Weekly)]

Show Of Talents

A group of artists displays various forms of art works

By Bhaskar Raj Amatya

Every human being possesses some kind of artistic talents . An artist requires vision with instinct capable of identifying type and quality of skill hidden in him. In the country like Nepal it is very difficult to bring one's talent into the forefront.

Painting of young artists : Promising talents

At a time when the country is stepping into the dawn of a new millennium, there are still many parents who wish their children to follow what they have been doing. This is the reason large number of children are incapable to show their own original talent.

Painting is regarded in our society as an unfruitful occupation, as it requires lots of lavish expenditure, devotion and takes a long time to bear its fruits and recognition. Despite such hindrances, some young Nepalese artists have taken a bolder step by choosing painting as their professional career.

Inaugurated by art collector Barbara Adams, the paintings of young Nepalese artists are full of creativity and talents. Four Nepalese artists Erina Tamrakar, Binod Pradhan, Pradip Kumar Bajracharya and Sarita Dangol are new names in the realm of art though all these artists have earned diploma in Fine Arts from the Fine Arts Campus, Kathmandu. The titles of the paintings range from Woman, Street Scene, Festival to Nature respectively.

Artist Tamrakar born in 1970 in Lalitpur expresses that poetry, literature and her own experiences have influenced the intensity with which she reacts to the female form. She feels that her paintings are expressions of the enigmatic female form. "In my paintings, I attempt to reveal their emotions on canvas," said Erina.

Binod Pradhan, a young artist from Kathmandu, prefers to paint beyond landscapes. "My subconscious reaction to the immediate landscape supersedes my actual visual sensations. In my paintings I recreate a bright multitude dream cityscapes," said he. He seeks to take the viewer into narrow lanes and streets, the medieval houses, the street temples that have had such a direct impact on his work.

Another artist Pradip K. Bajracharya has different taste in painting as he always paints people and views that surround him. "I enjoy to play on canvas by sketching festivals of Nepal, illusionary group of figures and sometimes include myself within this group of figures with which I play on canvas," said Bajracharya.

One of the habits of the Bajracharya is that he presents details of his expressions by revealing different aspects of daily life. He is of the opinion that only rich colors doesn't represent a festive mood. He prefers a more muted palette to solve the formal aspects of his composition and maintains the moistness of the colors by overlapping it with white.

Artist Sarita Dangol said that she draws inspiration from nature. "Forests and jungles exude a tranquillity that is almost seductive. The nature, which I portray, is peaceful and intimate- almost greenish in tone, free of people," she said. The scenes of sun soaked greenery, overhanging tree branches; leaves and roots with its deep shadows are the recurring motifs in her work.

Though they are the new names and faces, they have displayed an incredible amount of enthusiasm, gaiety, sincerity and commitment to the arts. And we should not only be mute audience but also cherish and encourage them, with our hats off, for their effort to make a name in the vast realm of art and paintings.

Along with the four young Nepalese artists, other five well-established artists like Bert Hemsteede, Carole Irwin, Uma Shankar Shah, Swapan Kumar Shah and Sudhir Kumar also exhibited their works.

Dutch artist Bert Hemsteede is well known for his skill of expressions. His paintings contain a polymorphous imagery of owls, butterflies, and insects that suggest a contradiction inherent within the animal kingdom and human psyche.

This is his third show at the Siddhartha Art Gallery. He also paints with incredible insight into human emotions. In this exhibition his woodcut and linocut print displays his mastery as a draughtsman and printmaker.

Painting has always been an important part of British artist Carole Irwin's life. Her paintings record a moment of beauty and capture color, especially the vividness and complexity of exotic plants. For her, painting was initially a private affair.

Nepali artist Uma Shankar Shah qualifed and trained himself as an artist from Varanasi, India. He is currently working as a lectuer in Painting and Graphics in Fine Arts Colleage, Kathmandu. His Paintings depict the composition of tradition and scenic views of city.

Swapan Kumar Shah and Sudhir Kumar are two artists from India taking part in the exhibition. Swapan has earned bechelors and masters degree in Visual Arts whereas Sudhir in Pottery, Ceramics and Design. Swpan has tried to express Hindu tradition and culture on the canvas with a modern touch. Sudhir has tried to add life to the clay with his artistic touch. In the exhibition his creations- leaf pot, floral bowl, bamboo leaf, lotus leaf, etc. are displayed. This is the first time both Swapan and Sudhir has participated in an exhibition in Nepal.

Although it seemed unique and crowded exhibition, it offered encouragement to many artists from different parts of the world.