KATHMANDU: More than 200 artworks — painting, installation, sculpture, prints and Thankas — are on display at the Creative Journey-2, an international art exhibition, that kicked off on April 27 at Rastriya Nachghar, Jamal.

The picturesque exhibition showcases creativity of artists from 12 nations, including Nepal. While cultural heritages, people and landmarks seem to inspire Nepali artists, nature and landscape are dominant in the works of artists from Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Singapore, and USA among others.

Jansen Chow from Malaysia, for instance, has created an abstract painting with red, green, blue, yellow, white and black hues. And his thick vertical and horizontal brush strokes as well as dabs of colours remind you of lush green forest. Teveno Teo from Singapore has painted bamboo plants in black where the background is foggy white.

Along with the bold strokes depicting nature, serene Buddha and his philosophy have also made it to the exhibition. Traditional Thanka artists have chosen Buddhist philosophy of life-cycle, and several deities as major themes. Some contemporary artists have also depicted Buddha in their paintings, but they all are different.

Krishna Purak Shrestha has created different images in black and white in five canvases — and when put together, these canvases form Buddha’s tranquil face. But Kishor Nakarmi’s Buddha is meditating — blowing dust can be seen in the painting’s backdrop, indicating the deteriorating state of Nepali cultural heritage.

Artist Arun Kumar Rai’s installation work is dedicated to his late father Hem Himal. A replica of hand in white colour is stuck in the middle of a bamboo mat placed horizontally on the floor and several garlands of Rudraksha are kept around the hand.

“The white hand symbolises the hand of my late dad and the colour reflects purity and spirituality. Rudraksha is also connected

with purity, that’s why I have used them in my installation,” Rai shares of his work.

Different artists were also honoured at the exhibition’s opening. Event organiser Lalitkala Manch awarded Sahid Anil Lama Yuwa Purashkar to Shanta Rahadi Thapa. Artist Ramesh Khanal received Bishistha Kalakar Samman, N B Gurung was felicitated with the Artist of the Year title. And artist/journalist Keshab Raj Khanal received Kalalekhaan Tatha Patrakarita Samman.

The exhibition is on till May 3.