KATHMANDU: The gallery of Nepal Art Council, Babermahal has been garnered with paintings of 102 artists and 22 sculptors on the theme of earthquake since July 17. The exhibition titled ‘Earthquake Relief Campaign’ is the result of two different workshops organised by artists’ group who came together after the devastating earthquake of April 25.

According to artist and chief coordinator of Hatemalo Abhiyan, Shanta Kumar Rai the proceeds from the exhibition will be used to help artists affected by the earthquake.

The exhibition flaunts paintings of veteran artists like Shashi Bikram Shah, Kiran Manandhar, Batsa Gopal Vaidya et cetera. Most of the artists have captured the architectural beauty of Kathmandu Valley and expressed their feeling through vibrant colours. The artists have used forms like abstract, realistic, semi-abstract and semi-realistic to show their grief due to destruction of the place where they grew up and loss of lives after the disaster.

Photo: THT

In Kamal Gurung’s realistic painting he has created a pagoda style temple that has been supported by wooden log and an army man with gun is standing nearby. In the backdrop of the temple he has created Dharahara and other monuments. He has used colours like white, blue, yellow, red and more in his painting.

Bhishan Rajbhandari using only black and white colour in his artwork has created an eye catching painting of pagoda style temple. The use of curvy and vertical lines give an intense sense of the temple being veiled through water. Other artists Prithivi Shrestha, Saurganga Darshandari, Suman Shrestha, Devendra Thumkeli and others have focused on the architectural and cultural beauty of Nepal.

The sculptures on the other hand are made of wood and metal in realistic, abstract, and semi-realistic form. Sculptor Sharada Man Shrestha’s piece is a beautiful amalgamation of wood and metal where in the mid section of a rough looking tree’s bark he has created temples like Pashupatinath, Swoyambhu along with trees and prayer flags.

Talking about the exhibition Rai said, “I felt the grief has given strength to the artists and through their artwork they have expressed themselves how they felt after the earthquake. I see possibilities of new dimension in Nepali art scenario looking at the artworks in the exhibition.”

The exhibition will continue till July 24.