A gigantic larger than life sized frame hung at the wall of Van Gogh Gallery, Dhokaima Cafe, Patan Dhoka showcases the golden gate of Bhaktapur, which is wide open to the front view of Nepal's tallest pagoda style five storey temple--Nyatapol.

Artist Prashant Shrestha using pen and ink in black and white gives a realistic effect to the drawing with a surrealistic concept. This is his most time consuming and huge painting displayed in the exhibition ‘Samrachhen’ Vol-1.

It took him more than two months to complete the painting. Moreover, this exhibition is organized in collaboration with Tulikaa-kala. This 24-year old artist who was born and raised around the cultural heritage site has an inseparable fetish for their preservation through his art works. “My mission is grounded in the belief that visual arts are an integral part of our lives. They serve as an essential tool to educate audiences of all ages,” he expresses.

The earthquake in 2015 that razed off most of the cultural heritage sites made him determined to continuously focus his work on national cultural heritages. As such, the exhibition features Patan Durbar Square, Swayambhunath and its surrounding along with detailed drawings of wood and stone carvings found around temples and shrines.

This exhibition showcases a total of 11 artworks and is a sneak peak to his upcoming exhibition. He has around 40 artworks in his collection created since 2017. He shares, “Due to the pandemic, I had to postpone my exhibition which was scheduled for July. And I gave a thought why not give a sneak peak, a promo of my work and Tulikaa-Kala collaborated as well.”

For him cultural heritages are the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of the society inherited from the ancestors and it is the citizen’s duty to preserve them.

The exhibition continues till August 20.