Himalayan Folk Art Exhibition on Himalayan Folk Culture Begins
An art exhibition based on the indigenous folk culture and folk traditions of Nepal’s Himalayan region has begun.
Chancellor Naradmani Hartamchali of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts inaugurated the group art exhibition at a programme held in the capital on Friday, jointly organised by the Academy and Chhoser Arts Mustang. Hartamchali said that the paintings displayed in the exhibition titled “Tracing the Himalaya” reflect the fragrance and glimpses of folk traditions and original Nepaliness.
Art Inspired by Traditional Himalayan Knowledge
Head of the Traditional Painting Department of the Academy, Palsangmo Lama, said that the artists have successfully created works based on the traditional knowledge systems embedded in the daily practices of Himalayan life.
Emphasising that such cultural heritage, which is linked to the original identity of Nepalis and remains less publicised, should be preserved and promoted through painting, she said it is necessary to include Himalayan indigenous art in the curriculum to pass it on to the new generation.
Chhoser Arts Mustang: Bringing Himalayan Art into Focus
Director of Chhoser Arts Mustang, Chhiring Phonzo Gurung, said that art from the Himalayan region is rarely seen in exhibitions held in Kathmandu and thus does not come into everyone’s view. The exhibition has therefore been organised with the aim of drawing broader attention to Himalayan art.
He said that this exhibition has been organised with the participation of four artists for now, and that it will be held on a larger scale in the coming days.
Curatorial Focus on Spiritual Practice and Struggle
Curator Meena Lama said that the exhibition depicts the spiritual practices and struggles of the everyday life of purely Himalayan regions.
She stated that the daily life, struggles and contemporary aspects of Mugu, Dolpa, Sindhupalchok and Mustang have been presented through visual images.
Artists, Artworks and Themes
The exhibition features artworks by artists representing the Himalayan region: 20 works by Chhiring Phonzo Gurung (Mustang), 17 by Tenzing Angdak Gurung (Dolpa), 18 by Dhorje Gurung Lama (Mugu) and nine by Pemba Sherpa (Sindhupalchok), making a total of 64 artworks.
The exhibition, curated by Meena Lama, mainly presents landscape works and thangka. Cultural performances, including Syabru Nach, which represents the Himalayan region, were also presented at the programme.
The exhibition will run until Mangsir 9.
Kathmandu Exhibition