Synthesis Art Exhibition organized by Tilicho Kala intends to bring together different forms of Nepali art under one platform. This art exhibition opened on May 3 (yesterday) and will continue to be on display till May 5, 2018 at Siddhartha Art Gallery.
At the exhibition, you will find beautiful juxtapositions of different forms of Nepali art. Through their masterpieces, the artists will help you trace the journey of Nepali art from the past to the present. They also intend to give you a glimpse into the future through their contemporary work.
“We have three kinds of Nepali paintings, photographs, and sculptures under one roof,” says Ujen Norbu Gurung, co-founder of Tilicho Kala, adding that they have an amalgamation of traditional, contemporary, and modern art forms at their exhibition.
The exhibition intends to attract different kinds of art lovers and force them to interact with art forms out of their comfort zones. According to Gurung, it’s interesting to see how people interested in traditional art are intrigued by modern designs and vice versa.
The main idea behind Tilicho Kala is to make Nepali youths appreciate Nepali artists. “I feel Nepali art is famous all over the world but our artists are rarely known. We want to give the artists their due share for their work,” says Gurung.
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However, when Tilicho Kala was established three years ago they were not interested in promoting Nepali art. At that time, their only aim was to collect art pieces and sell them.
“As I got into this world of art, I realized its true value. Now I want my exhibition to attract youths and help them develop love and appreciation for Nepali artists,” says Gurung who feels that all art exhibitions benefit their artists. It also helps them build connections and meet fellow art lovers.
But their primary motive behind this exhibition is not focused only on the artist. They want visitors to go there, experience the art, and enjoy their time. They are looking forward to the visitor’s interaction. The exhibition also has performances such as poetry by Word Warriors, Indi fusion music, live art demonstrations, and live band performances. “So this exhibition will not only be soothing to your eyes but will encapsulate all your senses,” concludes Gurung.
A glimpse into the exhibition:
White Tara by Samundra M. S Shrestha
This painting perfectly symbolizes the evolution of traditional Nepali paintings into a modern one. According to Gurung, the significant feature of this painting is that the artist uses oil paints. As a result of which the texture of this painting is different from others.
“You can see that the fabric worn by White Tara looks perfect. It almost feels like you can touch the cloth,” says Gurung.
One thing that separates this painting from the others is its intricate details. Also, the imperfect background of this painting is symbolic of our present times. It shows how we are losing touch with our culture and trying to imbibe new ones.
The Third Eye by Erina Tamrakar
This painting tries to open the dialogue of gender equality in our society. “Art for many years has played an important role in bringing about change in our society. Through this painting, Tamrakar attempts to reduce the patriarchal notions that are still prevalent in our society,” says Gurung.
The painting does not depict women as naïve, innocent, and sympathetic beings. Neither does it show women as extremely aggressive and bold creatures. It encourages every person to open their third eye and perceive women as equal beings as capable and incapable as any other man.
Wooden Sculptures by the Bajracharya Family
The wooden sculptures being displayed at the exhibition are made by an interesting man named Pratham R Bajracharya, who is a lot into traditional wooden sculpting. It is even more exciting to see how Bajracharya’s sons are more inclined towards modern sculpting. One of his sons is into abstract wooden sculpting. “It is very difficult to make abstract wooden sculptures and there are a very few people who make that in Nepal,” says Gurung. Another son makes wooden sculptures that are a mixture of traditional Nepali art and classical Western art.
Circle Series by Askash Pradhan
This series of photographs is a collection of mundane everyday figures. However, they are extremely interesting and eye catching. “The best thing about Pradhan is that he knows how to bring out the best in what is often unnoticed or neglected,” says Gurung.
Pancha Buddha by Lok Chitrakar
Pancha Buddha is a series of five similar looking paintings that symbolizes wind, water, earth, fire, and sky. These paintings may not look captivating at first, however, according to Gurung, once you start looking into the details of this painting, you will be awestruck by its beauty and perfection. Also all five paintings depict different personalities of Buddha.
