Kathmandu:

Dr Alphonso Doss’ painting exhibition began at Siddhartha Art Gallery from August 5 to mark the 59th Independent Day of next-door neighbour India as well as to promote the age-old cultural ties between India and Nepal. The gallery has put together 32 paintings in the exposition, which were brought to Nepal in association with Prakrit Arts, Chennai and BP Koirala India Nepal Foundation, Embassy of India. Doss is the recipient of Cultural Doctorate in Art Education from World University, Arizon, USA. He is principal of Government College of Arts and Crafts, Madras. A number of his works are archived in galleries and museums in India, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia as well as Crotia. In his exhibited works Doss have dominantly used the metallic effect to give his painting a distinct texture. “I have used transparent colour in my painting, which is taken from Chinese and Japanese technique of painting,” Doss further explained, “In this technique, the white part of the canvas is left untouched.”

Doss has chosen the feminine figure as a means of expression in the painting. The paintings, mostly depicting the female form, visibly reflect traditional schools. Christ, Krishna, Meera, a goddess including Bali dancer, Pipe Player Bird and Lady with Flowers are testimonials to the spiritual proclivities of the artist. “Without culture we are nothing,” Doss said, “I am always inspired by it.” All oil framed paintings are priced between Rs 45,000 to Rs 1,50,000. Indian ambassador to Nepal Shiv Shankar Mukherjee inaugurated the exhibition. The exhibition is on till August 19.