National 9 (Spotlight Weekly)

EXHIBITION
Prints Of Expression

Japanese print exhibition showcases various phases of Japanese art

By A CORRESPONDENT

Despite coming from different social circumstances and tests, Nepalese audiences have something to share with Japanese prints show. Organized by the Embassy of Japan and Nepal Art Council, the Japanese Prints 1950-1990 is the first of its kind show to be held in the valley.

Nepal and Japan have different social and cultural situation but they have certain commonalities as well. In terms of human sufferings, social and cultural existence, almost all societies share something.

Doll's painting : Variety of color

Supported by the Japan Foundation, more than half a dozen of Japanese artists displayed their works. The paintings displayed at the Nepal Art Council Gallery in Babarmahal are very impressive in terms of use of color and imagination of the painters.

From doll festivals to houses and other abstract prints, Japanese artists have displayed unique talents. In White House, 1980, Japanese artist Hodaka Yoshida paints a beautiful house displaying the plain atmosphere and simple imagination. With the background of open space, artist Hodaka paints traditional white house, which is on the verge of ruin. She draws in a minute manner not even missing minor things like roof, doors and woods supporting the house.

Ushio Shinohara’s Doll Festival 1968 is of different kind since it is all about the Japanese dolls, which depict different moments and emotions. The color is red, green and blue.

The dolls show different moods and symbols. The combination of the color is perfect and the color harmonizes the message of the prints. In other prints, Kosuka Kimura in his present situation – existence –A 1971 depicts the mood of modern society.

Artist Kosuka is capable to highlight the human trouble and human suffering including its implications on society. A painting of a lonely man pondering hard depicts the difficulties human are facing in their everyday life.

Although Nepal and Japan represent different modes of society, one can see human sufferings in similar manner. Being a traditional society, Nepalese does not have to bear the situation like in industrialized Japanese society. All the Japanese prints displayed at the wall of Nepal Art Council explain something or the other about the Japanese society.

Japan’s assistance in Nepal’s development is immense and many Nepalese know what Japanese have done to Nepal in its quest to achieve the economic and social prosperity. But only a few people are familiar with the Japanese arts and culture. Thanks to the Japanese Embassy, Nepalese people have got an opportunity to witness the evolution of Japanese paintings.

EXPOSITION
Creative Expression

An Australian and a New Zealander come together to depict the changes taking place in the sub-continent

By A CORRESPONDENT

The role of artist is not only to grasp the present situation but also to describe the impression of the past. Simon Mark, a photographer from New Zealand and Carolyn Fitzpatrick, a printmaker from Australia have done so.

Based in Indian capital New Delhi for two and half years, both the artists are quite familiar with Nepal. Although they live in far away in the antipodes, Nepal has always been a romantic and exotic attraction. For Simon, a New Zealander, Nepal is the place of Sherpas, the Himalayas and Sir Edmund Hillary. For Carolyn, Nepal’s beautiful mountains are always a sign of magnificence.

The two artists have exhibited their paintings at the Siddhartha Art Gallery. Their exhibition incorporates works made across the sub-continent and includes the photographs, prints and paintings.

This is the second collaborative exhibition by the two artists. The present exhibition captures the changes and the continuity, within each of their respective expressive responses to the environment around them.

Although Soda was popular cold drinks during the 1970s in valley, they are almost vanishing these days having been replaced by Coke and Pepsi. Simon Mark, however, takes a beautiful photograph of Soda bottle in cart.

In another painting, Carolyn Fitzpatrick draws the image of holy cows. In both the pieces artists have displayed their own unique talent and quality to express the situation. Their imaginations are remarkable and full of creativity.