WHERE THE ART COMES ALIVE first article REVOLUTIONIZING ART Gopal Das Shrestha, also known as Kalapremi, is a Kathmandu-based self-taught artist and ceramist. He has dedicated the last 35 years to ceramic art, teaching in multiple universities in Nepal, Pakistan and other countries. He has exhibited his works in numerous galleries around the world. Kalapremi’s new work titled “a:tL a:tLaf6 p7” is inspired from the old Nepali song “ufpF ufpFaf6 p7”. He regards this revolutionary song as a masterpiece, not often played on the radio, nor easily available in cassettes, during his childhood days. The song was censored, as if it was a crime to listen to it, because the words motivate citizens to stand up for their rights. SET OF THE “MONOCHROME SCENE OF THE PLAY“ BY GOPAL KALAPREMI ON DISPLAY AT MoNA Cont. on page 3 Gopal Kalapremi: Ancient traditions CONTENTS and craftsmanship still inspire first person At six months of age we normally go from being breast fed to more solid foods, this is CONTEMPORARY ART PG 2 marked by the ‘rice-feeding’ ritual. Objects are often placed in front of the child, and By Asha Dangol and Bidhata KC the object we pick predicts our future life. I chose a ball of clay, indicating that I would become a mason. I did not, but as I grew up I developed a fascination for clay, always creating different objects and experimenting with clay forms. ART EVENTS PG 3 This was strange, for no one in my family showed any inclination towards any form Art Events in February 2021 of art. In those days we thought of an artist as one who painted signboards, which in Nepal are very often decorative. The more talented ones progressed to portraits, or religious works. Fact is, it was difficult to get an art training or an artistic education, CURATORIAL AT LARGE PG 4 nor were quality supplies easily available. I had to do many jobs, like house painting, Nepali art in museums around teaching and plumbing to live and to be able to work with clay and ceramics. the world My early works were mainly in iron and wood, with some sketching and painting. Yet my choice of the ball of clay as a child is coming more and more to the forefront. For today my mind and work are totally focused on ceramics. The 3D-expressionism clay allows is exciting and challenging - while at times it can be hard work, a little Nepal Art Post dangerous and usually dirty. Yes, challenging, for the medium is one of extremes: fire monogram in and clay together in the furnace - very exciting. Ranjana, Nepal’s Sadly, we see a sharp decline in the production of ceramics by the Prajapati (Kumah) original script. cast of the Newa people. While Nepali ceramic works were never as refined as those from China, India or Bangladesh, they were and are a part of our culture. This decline concerns me, for it is important to keep and develop our artistic traditions. One way to foster a renewal is to modernize both design and production, and to create both and interest and a market for such works. MoNA is one such vessel to bring this about. Employment would encourage the coming generation. To this end my son joined me, as have other young students, in my studio/work shop. I believe their skills will surpass those gone before, and interest in ceramics will continue to grow. Scan for digital Cont. on page 3 versions FEBRUARY 2021 | VOLUME 1 - ISSUE 2 NEPAL ART POST - [email protected] | Tel: 9802020484 Pg 1 © KGH PUBLICATION NEW AVATAR While integrating contemporary art into the mysticism and spiritualism of traditional Paubha iconography, Asha has portrayed humans’ supremacist and raw exploitation of the Earth and all her creatures for centuries. People have always confined and abused animals, showing extremes of cruelty. Where his view is that the Earth is our common home, and all living beings should have equal rights. This painting depicts an image of a deity whose many heads are replaced by a buffalo, cow, pig, Asha (the artist) and Erina (his wife). By provoking our senses, Asha, gives us a chance to correct our mistakes. His message, ‘We are but mere guests on Earth for a very short time, so let us treat others as we would like to be treated. Yes, treat Mother Earth with love and respect, make her greener, clear the seas and the skies, and become better beings ourselves.’ This painting aims to renew our perception of our planet and our environment, lighting a path to coexistence and mutual sustenance. ‘We don’t own but merely share Mother Earth with all her creations.’ concludes Asha. NEW AVATAR Asha Dangol BY ASHA DANGOL Freelance Artist, Lalitpur, NEPAL EKKAIS DIN - 21 DAYS With the rising COVID-19 crisis, I cut short my month-long art residency in Vienna and reluctantly returned to 21 days of voluntary self-imprisonment. Fearful that I could be carrying the virus, I stayed in my room, staring at the outside world through the grill. Stigmatization of Nepali returnees and hate speech on Facebook made me feel like an outsider in my own home. Memories resurfaced of my teenage days in lock-down during the menstrual cycle. I sympathize with the women who have to go through the cruel and demeaning ‘chaupadi’ system (isolation in a hut during menstruation). This is now illegal in Nepal, but superstitions and traditions are strong so it is still practiced by many. ‘During this time of isolation, I was drawn ever closer to Klimt’s, ‘The Kiss’. The essence of that painting - love - reminds me of the need for love now more than ever. The resentment of reaching Austria, yet not being able to see it with my own eyes, also features in mine. Ekkais Din represents my travels, self-isolation and emotional turmoil during those difficult days.’ Bidhata KC Visual Artist, Kathmandu, NEPAL. An exhibition that showcases both of these artworks, entitled Tangential Stress is a paroxysm of emotions, put together with the hope that we become less complacent and more appreciative EKKAIS DIN - 21 DAYS of our nature and life, teaching us humility in the process. BY BIDHATA KC Visit mona.com.np for the virtual exhibition. FEBRUARY 2021 | VOLUME 1 - ISSUE 2 NEPAL ART POST - [email protected] | Tel: 9802020484 Pg 2 © KGH PUBLICATION unveiling REVOLUTIONIZING HEVAJRA MANDALA By Lok Chitrkar ART Mineral Color on Cotton Canvas Size: 56.5 X 44.5 inches From page 1... A Paubha that is 25 years in the making has finally seen Kalapremi says, ‘I used to feel my blood light of day at the Museum boiling and my body burning, but at that of Nepali Art. Now the public time I did not understand the meaning of can breathe in the incredible political demonstration. In fact, I still do not details of this masterpiece by understand it. Nevertheless, I have come veteran artist Lok Chitrakar, to realize that this song provides the exact though it is still a work in feelings and motive that my country is progress. The immensely intricate artwork will convince seeking from its citizens at this present time. the onlooker that this painting ufpF ufpFaf6 p7, a:tL a:tLaf6 p7 . of] itself is a course book on Newa b]zsf] d'xf/, km]g{nfO{ p7 Yes, it is the ultimate Buddhist (tantric) iconography responsibility of each and every citizen of the -- a diagrammatical manual nation to understand the gist of the song’. that will help the reader understand life and existense, All these emotions that Kalapremi and eventually guide him/her experienced have been critical in the to nirvana. making of his ceramic sculptures during the Covid-19 lock-down. He says that a lesson Now on display at MoNA. the pandemic has taught is that every person (on loan from the artist) should rise up and utilize his/her full capacity for the betterment of the country and the whole world. This is the exact essence of the song; it conveys the message of rising up together and uniting for the progress of the people. art events IN february 2021 ‘Through my art, I want to convey the AN EXHIBITION BY THE message that people with different talents ART & MUSIC MELA EXHIBITION and skills should come together, as they HIMALAYAN LIGHT ART are the ones who will write the future of the AWARDEES ART FOR PEACE Print Exhibition world.’ Kalapremi adds. By Tsherin Sherpa The Way Home is Away from Exhibiting Emotions In his latest work, he has incorporated a Home - Jagdish Moktan and through Art and Music, 2 Jan to 14 Feb 2021 fusion of humans and animals by using the In the Realm of Recollections Nepali and International face of a horse on a human structure. He - Priyanka Singh Maharjan Artists Time: 10 am to 6pm notes that the horse has played a vital role (closed on Monday) in the development of human civilization, 15 Jan to 15 Feb 2021 13 Feb, 2021 from the plough, to transport, to its role Location: in wars and conquests. A far-reaching Location: Babermahal Location: Behind Thai Bihar Bhanimandal, Ekanta contribution mankind has not always Revisited premises Kirtipur Kuna Road, Lalitpur recognized. A magnificent creature being strong, striking, hardworking and modest. The human structure, a lady-shaped figure, Siddhartha Art Gallery Art & Music Mela Wind Horse Gallery symbolizes today’s era of realization and is a fb.com/ Siddhartha-Art-Gallery fb.com/artandmusicmela fb.com/windhorsegalleryktm demonstration of women’s ability and power.