KATHMANDU: Culture — both tangible and intangible — that we inherit from our ancestors gives us our identity. It is the culture that makes us unique, and this very difference in cultures among people makes world interesting. These varied aspects of culture are on display in a group painting and print exhibition 'Inheritance'.

Four artists — Bhawana Manandhar, Manju Shyaula, Deepmala Maharjan and Sarina Prajapati — who explored Nepal’s rich cultural heritage during their residency programme organised by the Classic Gallery, have displayed their creations in the exhibition, that began on September 10 at Classic Gallery, Pulchowk.

The paintings and prints on display depict tangible heritage along with emotions and experiences of the artists, thus giving a variation in their works.

Manandhar has portrayed mythical beings in her paintings. Her works have drama in them as she has used surrealistic approach to depict mythical creatures such as Makar, Hitimanga, Garud, Naag, et cetera along with other realistic animals. In one painting, she has experimented with contrasting colours blue and red, to create sky and water. Then using similar colour combination, she has shown Makar (a mythical creature that is a hybrid of crocodile and elephant) floating on water carrying different animals and birds. It gives a feeling from The Bible when Noah brought together all the animals in the ark to save them from the flood.

Maharjan has unfolded the stories of four important women in her life. In one of her paintings she has painted her mother — she is carrying a gagri (vessel to carry water) with one hand, while holding a cell phone with the other hand and talking — on the top of the canvas. Goddess Durga in the hues of blue, black and red, is below her mother’s image.

Using ink and pen technique, Prajapati has captured the majestic architecture, temples and shrines of the Valley.

Shyaula has displayed her prints using drypoint and etching — both printmaking techniques. In one of her prints, she has depicted couples such as Lord Shiva and Parbati, Naag and Naagin along with young modern couples in black and white hues deeply in love.

The exhibition is on till September 22.