The Kathmandu Art Fair; Art for Society has kicked off from March 3 at Rastriya Nachaghar, Jamal. A total of 117 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, prints, traditional paintings, installation arts, performance arts and photographs, among others, have been put on display at the fair.

This is the first edition of the Art Fair organized by Nepal Lalitkala Manch Rastirya Samiti and Sanskritik Sangsthan. The fair also features sculpture workshop, print workshop and art competition between students of various colleges. The ground floor of the building features paintings and sculptures on the theme of lifestyle, portrait, tradition and culture, among others. One of the participating artists in the fair, James Magar, has painted portraits of people. In one of his portraits, he has painted a Magar woman drinking water from a traditional wooden vessel. She is wearing jewelries such as dungri, ear ring, and coin necklace, among others. The portrait looks realistic and he has successfully captured the beauty of the moment, in hues like brown, yellow, grey and white. 

Likewise, as you head to underground section there are separate sections for handicrafts, Milthila art, prints and photography. Artist Bipana Maharjan’s print depicts the features of toran found in temples. Using dry point technique of print making, she has beautifully captured the balance of light and shade of brown, black and blue to form a devi that is seen on torans. 

Meanwhile, visitors can also get to know how an artist creates his/her creation through the ongoing workshops, while artists are seen working live at the fair. The fair continues till March 12.