NATIONAL10 (Spotlight Weelky)]

Picture Perfect

Two virtuosos display works of splendor at Siddhartha Art Gallery

By AKSHAY SHARMA

Brilliant works by Sandy Shum and Jyoti Dawadi are currently on display at the Siddhartha Art Gallery in Babar Mahal. Michael Gill, executive director of the Fulbright Commission, inaugurated the show on November 6. "The two artists' work are very different from each other but both have used multimedia. They have used computers to use and enhance their works that are quite admirable," said Gill.

Dawadi is often a victim of mistaken identity. "He looks like Jerry Garcia," someone at the inauguration was heard saying. Dawadi's work reflects the spirit of nature and the abstract forms of Hindu and Buddhist rituals that are usually found in Nepali culture. He has explored his art into a greater depth through the computer and through his unique language of abstraction. Three different bodies of work were presented at the exhibition and can be exhibited on large screen projections and animations — which are on the web at <www.akash-himal.com> in various prints and dimensions.

"Value" is conceived in response to all conflicts where firearms are used to settle disputes. "Value is an artwork that compares how much rice can be purchased with the money it costs to buy a rifle. To visualize this measurement, a pyramid of dhan — rice husk — will be created, and a replica of the rifle is placed on top of the mound."

It dramatizes how precious resources are diverted from society and draws attention to the emotional toll of violence in communities around the world. "Value" is a memorial to the victims and a means to stimulate dialogue toward the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

In remembrance, the names of those who have died will be exhibited on the mound of dhan to initiate the healing process. Visitors are encouraged to publicly express personal and collective grief through lighting oil lamps and burning incense. In the second phase of this installation, the dhan will be put into jute sacks of various sizes and marked with the names of other countries torn apart by armed struggle. The sacks will be stacked to create a new, commemorative mound. This time, the replica rifle will be laid on the ground beside the mound to symbolize the end of violence.

In "Value", dhan is used as a metaphor for peace and regeneration. "This artwork is inspired by the poetry of my grandfather, Dharani Dhar Koirala, who anguished over Nepal's destiny fifty years ago: Nepal your smiling face/Would I see it or die without/This is the worry that aches my heart/Towards hope or despair," Dawadi says.

Through an accompanying banner, "Value" incorporates these poetic lines to build upon the ideas of peaceful, social change that were pioneered by an earlier generation of Nepali activists. In contrast to the mound, which is a temporary installation, the 72 x 66 inch, digitally printed banner, is a permanent component of this artwork. Dawadi's work is supported by Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Artists' Society of Nepal, Human Rights Organization of Nepal, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square Conservation Program and New Art Circle.

"It's all digital work generated through computers. The image is just bits and bytes and the art is in an abstract form," Dawadi told SPOTLIGHT. "I then enhance those images through my fingers and the mouse."

"I take earth, powder it and use Nepali paper and render these images though computer programs," he added. "The concept of my art is primal and normal as Nepal is now which is passing through the agricultural stage to the massive scale of globalization," Dawadi explained. "I have focused on this topic and we need to move on. In the West, art and culture are separated, not like in Nepal where they are a part of daily life. I hope that we don't lose that in the mist of globalization."

"In America the image of Nepal is a poverty-stricken Third World nation and through these images I have created, I want people to see it's not like that," Dawadi added. "I first scan my images then layer them, it is a fun thing to me actually. Not many people are doing this in Nepal and the purpose is to motivate the younger generation of artists through my work. Most of my work is muted on tantric philosophy," he added.

"My roots are Nepalese and my father is a writer. And I work on my art in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA," he added. On the transformation of the art scene in Nepal, he said: "There are more galleries coming up. It wasn't possible to do exhibitions like these before."

"I hope that the mercenary image of the workaholic will be changed in some ways if we were to focus more on art. The image needs to be changed into something else," he added. Dawadi, who has a Ph.D. in political science, says, "I am not a trained artist and somehow it has become my life now. The younger generation should come and see my work and I hope I have made a little contribution in the world of art in Nepal."

Sandy Shum, who specializes in impressionistic photography, sums up her purpose in a sentence. "I wish to provide a moment to pause and reflect on the wonderland grace that occurs in the dream light of daily life," she told SPOTLIGHT. "I work by hand on each photograph to create a painterly quality, resulting in image full of depth and texture."

Sandy was born in and grew up in Hollywood, California and went to Hollywood High School. "I have lived and traveled in Asia for over a decade." Her Impressionistic Photography portfolio includes images from Nepal, Cambodia, Thailand, Bhutan and California. "My mother took me to art class when I was young. I love books, music, pottery and joyful creations," said Sandy, who has a B.S. in mechanical engineering. The theme of her works is "Impressions of Asia".

"This is my first exhibition in Kathmandu and it is my favorite place and Baudhanath captures my imagination. My works are ambiguous — people look at it and find it hard to recognize if it is a painting or a photograph. To pause in your daily life is very important," she said. "We all lead a busy life and to pause to look at things brings a little peace to your daily routine."

Sandy, a Buddhist, says her work is her eye on the world. "I wish to create images that bring beauty and peace to our lives. I started out in 1998 and focus on things that you come to see in daily life. And the viewer might say that ëwhy didn't I see it like this before?' The things that are in your ordinary life are the focal point of my art."

"When I walk around and notice something through the corner of my eye, I enhance these images I see. I really enjoy the work and am very happy when an art is finished," she said. "When you look at it, it will bring joy to your daily life."

"I try to look at the beauty and peace in the lives of people when I work. I want to create joy into the hearts of people and to make them say, ëI might have thought of that'," Sandy said.

Asked what her philosophy of life is and how she reflects it through her art, Sandy said: "I focus on simplicity, functionality and impermanence. My symbol and images are straightforward. Paula Wenzl, a photographer based in California, taught me this technique. I am fascinated by impressionistic painters and how they capture light. motion and freshness."

Her methods of painting and drawing are hand embellishing Polaroid photographs. "Everyday I am grateful that some object of beauty is brought to my attention. That is what I try to share through my art. My motto is to strive in compassion in every action," she said.

"My images are held in private collections internationally. Whether the artist is French, American, Thai or Nepalese, one must create the art that naturally arises from one's heart."

The show will be held until November 26 at the Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babar Mahal Revisited, from 11am to 6pm.