KATHMANDU:

A special painting and photo exhibition titled ‘Home Coming Exhibition’ opened at Nepal Art Council on January 25. The exhibition is titled because this event is being held in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Family Academia. The exhibition jointly organised by Nepal Korea Cooperation Council, Nepal Epilepsy Association and Family Academia showcases 150 paintings by 150 Nepali artists as well as also photographs of the health camps held in rural areas of Nepal by Family Academia.

President of Family Academia Dr Kun Hoo Rhee first came to Nepal in 1982 as a mountaineer and conducted his first health camp at Dolkha in 1989.

Through many visits of his Dr Rhee realised that although Nepal is famous in his country, Korea for the Himalaya’s its cultural aspects have not been explored. Thus he has been involved in various activities to promote cultural exchanges between the two countries.

The interesting part of this group exhibition is that all the paintings are of similar size with most of them done in water colour.

In a way each Nepali artist has projected one particular aspect of Nepali culture and lifestyle. From Buddha’s eyes to alleys of Ason, from traditional dances to people of different regions of Nepal going about their daily chores, artists have tried to capture the various symbols of Nepali culture. There is variety even in the landscapes as one can see from a green field in Tarai to houses of hilly region to beautiful view of snow capped mountains at dawn in this collection. There are some abstract pieces as well.

As for the photographs they too present the rural Nepali lifestyle plus the journey of the medical team that came to help rural Nepalis with their medical service. Along with the happenings of camps there are some photographs that capture the scenic beauty of Nepal and also portraits of rural Nepalis. The exhibition is on till January 30. — HNS