Gandaki, 17 February: The second provincial fine arts exhibition has begun in the tourist capital Pokhara from Sunday. The exhibition organized by Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, Gandaki Academy of Fine Arts and ‘Kathmandu Triennale’ will continue for five days. 80 paintings are on display in the exhibition that started at the Pokhara Art Gallery in Naya Bazaar, informed Surya Khadka ‘Bikharchi’, Chancellor of Gandaki Academy of Fine Arts.
He said that the paintings of the artists who are considered the best from this Gandaki province-level exhibition will be included in the National Fine Arts Exhibition to be held in Kathmandu. The exhibition includes paintings by established artists since Anuj. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Creative Artists Group, Kaski, can be viewed from 10 am to 5 pm. Group chairman DB Gurung said that fine arts exhibitions have been organized at the province level since last year.
The Nepal Fine Arts Foundation has stated that the selected artworks from all seven provinces will be displayed at the National Fine Arts Exhibition. A prize of Rs 50,000 will be awarded to one artist from all genres at the provincial fine arts exhibition.
The foundation has stated that one person each will be awarded for traditional and contemporary painting in the field of painting, traditional folk sculpture and contemporary modern sculpture, crafts-handicrafts, and student fine arts regional awards in the field of sculpture, and two people will be awarded for folk art, architecture, and other creative arts. The amount of the category award is Rs 30,000.
The best artist participating in the national exhibition will receive a prize of Rs 100,000 and the best artist in each category will receive a prize of Rs 60,000. While observing the exhibition, Gandaki Province’s Minister for Social Development, Youth and Sports, Bindu Kumar Thapa, said that the provincial government will take the initiative to make the Pokhara Art Gallery well-organized and equipped with facilities. He opined that the exhibition will help in the development of fine arts.
During the inauguration of the exhibition, distinguished figures from the art sector including Naradamani Hartamchhali, Chancellor of the Academy of Fine Arts, Surya Khadka ‘Bikharchi’, Chancellor of Gandaki Academy, and Gore Gurung, Vice Chancellor, were present. The exhibition features figurative and abstract paintings created by various artists. The exhibition is promoted by the Nepal Tourism Board.
