National 10 (Spotlight Weekly)

Expressions Of Patience

Jyoti Duwadi depicts the importance of peace in his paintings

By NIRAJ POUDYAL

Artists express their innermost feelings in a variety of ways. Some of those who work with the power of images use photography while others choose painting. Two artists have deployed their skills in these two genres to bring out their personal feelings on society and its surroundings.

Jyoti Duwadi, a well-known Nepali artist with his three latest art works titled "Shanti Ko Samjhana-Remembering Peace" and Sandy Shum, a American photographer internationally renowned for her photography, with her 22 impressionistic photographs titled as "Offerings of the Valley", exhibited their works at Siddhartha Art Gallery recently. The painting and photography show, inaugurated by leading writer and art critic Dr. Abhi Subedi, covered various themes.

Duwadi's works consist of three paintings titled "Chitta Shanti I, 2002", "Chitta Shanti II, 2002" and "Chitta Shanti III, 2002" - all digital print on duratrans, one Remembering Peace Banner (not for sale) which is digital print on vinyl. "Chitta Shanti II, 2002" and "Chitta Shanti III, 2002" are the results of addition of further creativity on "Chitta Shanti I, 2002" and "Chitta Shanti II, 2002" respectively. Three trees sapling herbal, fruit and flowering of various species planted in jute bags as a metaphor for renewal and healing were also displayed.

Duwadi's works are full of combinations of geometrical shapes and colorful images. His intention to inject peace into the spectators' can be clearly seen in his works. The words "Chitta Ko Shanti" itself means peace of mind. His effort is an addition to the endeavors artists have been making in today's unstable times.

"A distinct aspect of the Nepalese identity is that art still plays an important role in daily life of the people," said Duwadi. "It attempts to create an environment where voices of unity for peace can be expressed."

A public art installation at Rani Pokhari, Kathmandu, dedicated to peace and the environment was also organized from October 26-30, 2002. The same tree saplings were planted and three large copper deyos (oil lamps) were kept lit in the memory of the deceased, in solidarity with the living victims and for a future free of violence and injustice. Clay oil lamps were lit around the pond at dusk to celebrate the stirring qualities of natural and cultural landscapes of Nepal.

Another part of the exhibition was Shum's sketchy photographs. Her works are the outcome of the impression of ritual offerings that are found on an altar, offering of flowers, incense, food, lamps, tika, etc., that got pasted in her mind. She has worked a lot with her own hands to create a painterly quality in her photographs.

"When I came to Kathmandu valley, I found offerings in every aspect of daily life - oil lamp, streets, copper basins, windows, doors, etc.," she said. She admitted that offering in western countries is very rare. She seems to be overcome by the ritual beliefs that the people in the valley have been following for an unknown past.

Her works depicts the culture of offerings in the valley. Her photographs seem to reflect the religious aspect of the valley. But when one delves deeper into her photographs, offerings come across as the dominant theme - whether it is a photograph of oil lamp, rows of lingas or heaps of prayer flags.