'Art in Himalaya' expo kicks off in Pokhara

Gandaki, Jan 8: An exhibition 'Art in Himalaya' kicked off in the touristy city on Thursday. The Srijansheel Kalakar Samuha of Pokhara organized the event in collaboration with the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts.

Mayor of Pokhara metropolitan city, Dhan Raj Acharya, inaugurated the three-day expo at Pokhara Art Gallery, Nayabazar. Mayor Acharya expressed the belief that the exhibition would help to make Nepali artists and arts known to the international arena.

"The exhibition itself is learning. Experience, skill and technology will be shared among the Nepali and international artists. Such programmes help Pokhara to get connected with the world through art," he argued.

An artist from Ireland, Lora Murphy, shared they were excited to participate in the expo with Nepali artists, adding she has been taking initiatives to connect artists from Pokhara and surrounding areas with international-level artists.

Murphy had coordinated to secure participation of foreign artists in the art exhibition. Paintings of artists from seven countries, including Nepal, have been kept on display, said Chairperson of the Srijansheel Kalakar Samuha, DB Gurung.

Thirty-three artists from Nepal and 15 from the USA, Australia, the UK, Denmark, Canada and Ireland have been participating in the exhibition.

Total 70 artworks are on display. "This exhibition will become a medium to introduce Nepali artists and their artworks to world-class artists," said Chairman Gurung.

Nepali talents are expected to benefit financially as their artworks are also on sale. The three-day exhibition is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Academician Radhika Kandel said the exhibition was organized with the aim of making Nepali art and artists known internationally and promoting culture and tourism through creative works. The Academy has been emphasizing programmes to promote the arts.

Decentralization of the programmes related to fine arts is gaining pace lately, according to her.

The second phase of the exhibition will start from January 24. Nepali artists, including 20 foreign artists, are going to participate in the exhibition.