First Obor China-Nepal Lacquer Art Exhibition drawing audiences

Kathmandu,  The First Obor China-Nepal Lacquer Art Exhibition with the theme 'Reaching the Summit' has caught the fancy of Nepali audiences. 

Organised with the objective of contributing to the promotion of cultural relations between Nepal and China, the exhibition is running on in Babarmahal-based Nepal Art Council February 3 through February 9. 

The event has displayed around 100 works of art by Nepali and Chinese artists including Shankarnath Rimal, Naresh Sundar Saiju, Hari Bahadur Khadka, Jeevan Rajopadhya, Ratnakaji Shakya, Tarjan Sangpang, Shanta Kumar Rai, Kiran Manandhar and Krishna Manandhar of Nepal. 

It is jointly organised by New Art Circle (NAC) and Nepal China One Belt One Road (OBOR) Culture Exchange Promotion Organisation. 

Both abstract and non-abstract arts painted on various themes including Buddhism, nature, bridge, mountain, elephant are put in the exhibition. 

The paintings and art works put on display have depicted the ancient Silk Road, the Shakyamuni Buddha, Bhikkhu, nature, the Himalaya mountains, elephant and women as metaphors. These art works are done in oil and water colour in canvas in the landscape, abstract and semi-abstract genres. 

Artist Tarjan Sangpang's art works put on display at the exhibition depict various facets of the around 800 years old Jharkot Gumba (monastery) in Mustang. The painting done in water colour is one of the attractions of the exhibition. 

The paintings by Chinese artist Su Xing and Wu Guiwen have also drawn the attention of the audience. 

Naresh Rana, an art enthusiast from Bouddha who was caught observing the art exhibition, said that art, literature and culture helped in expressing the emotional messages to society in a powerful way. 

The tradition of lacquer painting goes back to some 8,000 years and is believed to have originated in China. 

President of the Lacquer Painting Committee of Guangdong Artists Association, Su Xing is the curator of the First Obor China-Nepal Lacquer Art Exhibition. 

NAC and Nepal China One Belt One Road (OBOR) Culture Exchange Promotion Organisation have also signed an eight-point cultural exchange agreement to promote the OBOR concept, President of NAC Shankar Nath Rimal said. 

As per the understanding, both organisations would work closely and organise art and artists exchange programmes, art exhibitions, art workshop and publish books on art on a regular basis. 

Vice president Nanda Bahadur Pun had inaugurated the exhibition. On the occasion, he said Nepal and China are highly rich in art and culture and both countries have so far given birth to such artists who have contributed much to the field. 

"It is a matter of pride that art of one country is being promoted in neighboring country," he said, adding that Council Chair Satyamohan Joshi and general secretary Shankarnath Rimal insisted on the need of continuous research and exhibition to promote cultural ties between two countries. 

Consulate General of Nepal in Guangzhou, Rabi Bhattarai, expressed his hope that the exhibition would help give knowledge about culture and life of both countries. 
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