KATHMANDU: The first Group Exhibition MFA 2069 — an exhibition of painting, prints and sculpture — by 32 art students, who completed their MFA from the Central Department of Fine Arts, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, began on September 10 at Nepal Art Council, Babermahal.

Around 100 artworks including paintings, prints and sculptures — all made during the prescribed academic period of the MFA programme — were featured in the exhibition that ended on September 17. Most of the artists had used themes like culture, environment, human nature, feminism among others.

For instance, to express feminine impulses or sense of injustice, artists were found choosing stylised nude women forms or distorted human bodies. Works of Anisha Maharjan, Deepmala Maharjan, Ishan Pariyar, Sanjay Khadgi or Sandip Neupane may be cited as good examples. Mohan Shiwakoti’s works revealed yet one more example how the sufferings can be expressed in mechanised robot like imageries of dog or human beings. Or the pangs of sufferings could be found in sculptures of Shyam Maharjan and Sudip Bhurtel.

Interestingly, the importance of economic needs and needs to earn in human life were also featured in the series. Hem Ratna Shakya’s continual use of currency notes in every work made interesting example.

Environmental issues were chosen as theme by Sunil Prasad and Ajay Desar. There was also presence of stylised ‘Fishes’ in Shyama Ramtale’s prints. Presence of imageries from mythological stories in modern expressions by Liladhar KC provided mystic and charm in the entire series.

The exhibition is a proof that students have received the unlimited scope of creative exploration and freedom to express their thoughts in their artwork. The 25 per cent of the proceeds from the exhibition will go for the victims of earthquake.

— Mohan Shiwakoti, MFA graduate 2012, Central Department of Fine Arts, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur