KATHMANDU: It is common to see the use of water colour in landscapes or portraits in realistic form. However, Roshan BK and Rajan Sangachhen in the group exhibition ‘The Shades of Five’ have explored the different yet very common motifs related specifically to Nepal. Their water colours are different as BK and Sangachhen have not depicted landscape or portrait, but have painted art and artefacts commonly seen around temples and other heritage sites of Nepal. And these paintings are uniquely beautiful and commendable.

At the first glance, you would not figure out in which medium the artists have created the realistic or semi-realistic looking art and architecture. But you will appreciate what they have created using water colour — to handle water colour, it demands considerable skill as over painting of flaws is usually impossible in this medium.

“Once you make a mistake, there is no other option than creating again,” said BK. Due to this very challenge of water colour and appreciation for one’s culture and tradition along with the need to preserve them, BK captured the magnificent beauty of Nepali woodcarvings seen in temples and tundals in realistic form on his canvas.

In one of his paintings titled ‘Baraha’ he has reflected the realistic technique of woodcarving of majestic Baraha in an anthropomorphic form — with a boar’s head and human body with many hands in red hue (in similar red when smeared over wooden artefacts) where the background is black.

Other artists included in the exhibition are Anil Prajapati, Dixit Bhatta, and Vivek Mukarung. In Prajapati’s work he has created the alley ways and rural settlements seen inside Kathmandu Valley using acrylic. Bhatta has painted various portraits of man, woman and others using oil.

However Mukarung has depicted the serenity of nature like hills, rivers, streams and more.

All five artists have been mentored by artist Binod Pradhan, one of the founder members of Kasthamandap Art Studio. The exhibition features diversity where the themes used by these artists are nature, culture, art and architecture of Nepal. The paintings featured in the exhibition have the tendency to wake your senses through the use of explosive colours and diversity in motifs.

The exhibition that began on September 18 at Nepal Art Council, Babermahal, will continue till September 22.