KATHMANDU, June 10 : Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babermahal Revisited, is showcasing the works of Prithvi Shrestha -- the first recipient of the Himalayan Light Art Scholarship, entitled ‘Attachment’. The exhibition explores the umbrella theme of, and symbols and motifs within, the Hindu Buddhist philosophy of existence. It started on May 24 and will end on June 20.
A common subject in the exhibition is Shrestha himself. He has presented a serene amalgamation of the duality of nature, culture and the ever pervasive intrusion of technology. For example, in one of his paintings, ‘River’, he has manifested the surroundings of his home -- located in a close proximity to the sacred Bagmati River -- and the memories of the ritual offerings made to the river and to the mystical custodians of the water bodies. The artist finds inspiration in the myths and legends of the valley and the rituals, and festivals that bring people together.
‘Colorful I’ and ‘Colorful II’ reflect his trip to Janakpur and his encounter with the Maithali culture. The artist’s conjugal life with his artist wife, Saurganga Darshandhari, is glorified and immortalized in the paintings ‘Attachment’ and ‘Within.’ Another strong theme addressed in Shrestha’s paintings -- ‘Ritual Conversation,’ ‘Sewn Up’ and ‘Hidden Meaning’ -- is that of death. They represent the idea that only death is certain.
The paintings, each with a unique message, invite the audience to introspect on the beauty and brevity of life. The works embody a clever use of metaphors where some elements represent life and others represent death. The viewers are constantly reminded to love what exists while it lasts for the end is certain, thereby igniting the ever-present internal dialogue aroused by the presence of attachment.
Shrestha is a popular figure in Kathmandu’s art community. He, alongside his wife, runs Bindu -- a working space for artists. Internationally, the artist has been featured in Kaze Gallery in Japan, the 15th Asian Art Biennale in Bangladesh, and at The World Bank, to name a few. ‘Attachment’ is the artist’s 5th solo exhibition.
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