Breaking the Stereotypes
MANISHA NEUPANE
KATHMANDU, Aug 2: ‘BFA Exhibition Project – 2014’, the annual exhibition where the artistic works of the final year Fine Arts students of Kathmandu University, is currently being held at Nepal Arts Council, Baber Mahal. The artworks of 17 students who have worked really hard for their projects are being appreciated by the visitors.
The exhibition is diverse not only in terms of concepts, but also in terms of the forms of arts. The participating students have given a brilliant expression to their four-year long art education and creative experiences. According to Kirti Kaushal Joshi, Assistant Professor at Kathmandu University School of Arts, the students were encouraged to explore and trust their creative processes and look into both the conventional and unconventional mediums to present those concepts. “They’ve accepted the challenge and have done a great job with their ideas and mediums,” he says.
The students have used mediums like paintings, prints, kinetic sculpture performances, product designs, graphic designs, book illustrations, videos and installations to express their concepts. The ideas and the presentations are innovative and striking at the same time. Most of the works on display make you contemplate on the issue the artist is trying to present, and are able to hold your attention. Artist Tsewang Lama’s ‘Lost’, for instance, raises the issue of unplanned urbanization in the Kathmandu Valley. His creative portrayal of the perils of urbanization compels us to think about what has become of the beautiful valley.
Another artist, Kshitiz Gyawali’s work ‘Navaras’ is equally fascinating. He has used nine separate wooden boxes to draw nine different human expressions in distorted forms. A steel cylinder has been placed on top of every box, rightly positioned to reflect the distorted images as a well-drawn portrait. ‘Navaras’ is an innovative amalgamation of art and science.
Similarly, artist Niroj Maharjan has used paintings and sculptures to portray Bhairava, a ferocious Hindu deity. He says he has been inspired by traditional beliefs and his astrological birth chart, where he has been advised to worship Bhairava to overcome his fears and confusions in life.
Artist Kiran Rai in his work ‘Myths and Motion’ explores his fantasies about the movement of the Hindu mythical creatures engraved in the temples of the Kathmandu Valley. On the other hand, artist Prakash Ranjit, through his paintings and video performances titled ‘Beyond our Cover’, explores the gender of human beings by neglecting their physical appearances and tries to convey the message that every human being has both masculine and feminine qualities.
All the works that are being showcased at the exhibition are unique and pleasant. The students whose works are on display hint at a brighter future of Nepali arts. Breaking the stereotypes, both in terms of concepts and presentations, the ‘BFA Exhibition Project – 2014’, is definitely worth a visit.
The exhibition runs till August 6. The gallery opens from 11 am to 6 pm everyday.
