National 6 (Spotlight Weekly)

Abstract Emotions

Uttam Nepali reflects his inner feelings in a collection of 38 untitled works

By NIRAJ POUDYAL

Most of his works are shapeless for spectators unfamiliar with his brush strokes. To understand his abstract and colorful works and retain them in the heart, one needs to delve deep into the imagination of a modern artist whose creativity rests on the immediate imagination rather than on contemplation.

Nepal's art : Inner feelings

"A figurative artist always emphasizes the actual shapes and view of the background of which he is painting. But as a modern artist, I always prefer projection of immediate feelings on the canvas, depicting melody rather than actual shapes and figures of the theme on which an artist works," explained Uttam Nepali to spectators at his third solo exhibition.

Titled "Poetry of Abstraction", Nepali's collection of 38 untitled paintings, which started at Siddartha Art Gallery on January 21, will continue until February 9.

Contrast and color are the most important parts of his paintings. In each of his works, there are two parts: shaded and lighted, which Nepali says "...is the reflection of my way of thinking toward the life of each person which consist both shaded and bright portion in his life."

Nepali, who is also a prominent poet, has mostly used dark colors together with light ones to form a contrast in the viewer's eyes as well as their minds. "My works are pure expressions of a human mind, manifested through lines, shapes and colors, blended with my experience of spiritualism and philosophy of life and nature which I have been practicing since the last 30 years," he said.

Explaining why he didn't title any of his paintings, Nepali said: "My intention was to make spectators feel easy in understanding the paintings. A title makes a painting indigestible to the viewers." His works, in essence, are what he sees and feels while his eyes are closed.

One of his collections is about a child on the lap of his mother, which only non-figurative eyes can understand. Otherwise, this painting is no more than an accumulation of colorful ellipses and circles.

But some of his works are easier for inexperienced eyes. One depicts a human body, probably a woman's. The paintings that lured most of the eyes were of the Nepali letter 'Ohm'. These two arts were about the rhythm and the vibration pronouncing Ohm generates.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Kuber Sharma, who spoke about Nepali's works. "Both poetry and painting are related to unlimited imagination. And the artist being a poet also has verified this in his works," Sharma said.

Nepali has organized 25 solo exhibitions since 1962, including 12 abroad. His works have been displayed in New Delhi, Dhaka, Osaka, Sydney, Seoul and many other big cities around the world.