National 4 (Spotlight Weekly)

“Faces (Of People) Have Always Inspired Me”

— Susan Gillerman Boggs

Susan Gillerman Boggs, the wife of Robert Boggs, deputy chief of mission at the American Embassy in Kathmandu, is returning to her home country after staying in Nepal for two years. During her stay in Kathmandu, she developed a close rapport with the Nepalese society and culture. Coming from a family of professional artists, Susan has been drawing and painting from childhood. Her travels of the past 17 years throughout South Asia have brought her face to face with distinctive culture and tradition of this region. And, she has utilized this opportunity to hone her creative talents. She has already held five solo and seven group exhibitions. In the last two years, she organized two solo exhibitions in Kathmandu. On the eve of her departure, she spoke with KESHAB POUDEL and SANJAYA DHAKAL about her experiences of living here. Excerpts:

In contrast to other artists who are found to be drawing pictures that reflect despondency, perhaps to coincide with the situation of the country; your paintings are lively, colorful and exuberance. What is the reason for that?

One way is to demonstrate the sadness of life. Many people do that and that is a totally valid approach. My approach is to try and create something beautiful, happy and pleasing to the eye and the heart. I prefer to do what I hope are perceived as lovely pieces.

What inspires you to make a particular painting?

Faces (of people) have always inspired me. Faces are wonderful and near to soul. I find faces as very intriguing and beautiful. I also love flowers and edibles like vegetable and fruits.

There are people of various ethnic groups in Nepal. Did it also inspire you to paint?

I wish we could have traveled more while we were in Nepal. My husband is very busy at work and it is hard sometimes to get away. But it would have been marvelous to travel more and see more of the places and the people.

How many portraits did you make while in Nepal?

Probably about a dozen. I could travel to some places like Chitawan, Pokhara and a little bit up in the north.

How has been your experience of living in Nepal for the last two years?

Wonderful. We are very sad to have to be leaving early. This is a surprise and a great disappointment to us to be leaving earlier than we were scheduled because there is so much more to experience. My husband and I are very fond of Nepal, which is a beautiful country in spite of the problem, which we hope will be sorted out.

You stayed in Nepal at a time when the country is going through one of the most difficult times in its history. How do you find Nepalese society coping with the conflict?

It is coping amazingly well, actually. People try to get about their business as best as they can and I know it must be very difficult. People are trying to deal with it. As an artist, I am pleased to see the galleries still running, exhibits still going on and artists still painting. It is wonderful that the people are able to carry on in spite of the difficulties. We must carry on because there is no option.

How do you see the situation of Nepalese women?

I do not want to get into politics but I would say that more could be done for them. I think the women deserve to be treated a little better, especially in the villages. But this problem is not unique to Nepal. We see that in a lot of countries including, to an extent, my own country.

Being a wife of a diplomat, you obviously have to travel a lot. How do you find this experience of traveling from one place to another?

I love being, I do not like packing. But I have really enjoyed all of our postings together. It has been a wonderful experience.

How different did you find Nepalese society compared to others where you have been?

This is not the first time that I have come to Nepal. My first exposure to Nepal was in 1986 and I absolutely loved it. I found this place really intriguing. We went to Chitawan and other places. I find this place very interesting – culturally rich, beautiful scenery and most of all the wonderful people who are very warm and welcoming, which makes all the difference. I have been very lucky that my husband’s postings had been in South Asia. This is a wonderful part of the world.

Was your stay in Nepal enriching to your creative talent?

It was, indeed. One of the things is that there is so much art being produced and shown by so many talented people here. And, that of course is an inspiration. An artist should not work in a vacuum.