Art Gallery in Nepal

Art Galleries in Nepal

There are a great many art galleries in Nepal which display not only intriguing ancient artworks but also house more contemporary pieces. Much of the art of Nepal is strongly influenced by the Hindu and Buddhist religions that are prevalent in this land. As a result, you will find that most of the historical artifacts bear beautiful images of deities and other related matter. Nepal's art galleries are fairly numerous and you will find that many of those displaying older artworks can more readily be termed a 'museum'.

Nepal's artistic history has seen many colorful phases – each with its own distinct trademark. For many years, artwork was dictated by a sort of trade standard, which resulted in many similar works being produced. These were in great demand for the decoration of shrines and temples and so there was not much room for elaboration. Certain slight deviations in style and subject matter did occur from time to time and the trained eye will easily use these period characteristics to estimate what era the artwork is from. Much of the artwork currently on display at various museums and galleries has been carefully excavated from a number of Nepal's mountains.

More recent years has seen Nepal receive more foreign influences and this has clearly been reflected in the contemporary arts. Whilst still usually retaining a dynamic and cultured feel, the artwork has steered away from the religious stereotypes of the past and become more of an expression of the artists thoughts and emotions. As you visit the various art galleries in Nepal, you will find works from both well known artists and artists still struggling to make a place for themselves in the busy world of art. Visiting art galleries is one of the best ways to unwind after a long trek or a hard day of haggling with shopkeepers in the various markets. Make sure that you spend at least a little time at one or two of Nepal's art galleries while in Nepal. To ignore these little collections of color and culture would be a real crime!

1) J ART Gallery in Kathmandu

Nepal is a beautiful country and one just has to look around at the picturesque views to realize that it is home to many natural wonders. Within the borders of the country you will find part of the Himalaya mountain range, which includes the tallest mountain in the world, the magnificent Mount Everest. The people here are really spoiled for choice when it comes to subject matter to paint and so it is no wonder that there are so many art galleries located in one country. Many of these galleries can be found in the Kathmandu valley, which is a vibrant and lively region filled with visitors and pilgrims that have traveled there to attend one of the many temples and shrines that literally line the streets.

The J ART Gallery is one of the galleries where you will be able to find some amazing examples of the artwork produced by the local artists in Kathmandu. The gallery is located in Durbar Marg, a prominent area in Kathmandu, not far from the Royal Palace. Durbar Marg is near the Tribhuvan International Airport, which will take you fifteen minutes by car, so is easily accessible. Durbar Marg is a peaceful area but can become very busy during festivals like the Indra Jatra that takes places once a year. Apart from the art galleries in Durbar Marg there are also well-known sights and historical attractions that you can go visit as well.

The J ART Gallery displays and sells, as mentioned before, local art works completed by recognized painters in Kathmandu and from around the rest of the country. Every few months the gallery puts on an exhibition displaying artwork collected from one particular artist or a range of artists to give them a little more exposure. You will often find local diplomats and foreigners coming and supporting the J ART Gallery and their artists. Remember to visit J ART Gallery whenever you are next in Kathmandu, you are assured to come out of the art gallery with an authentic piece of art in hand.

Kathmandu is a unique city where one can really experience the traditional lifestyles of the Nepalese people while still enjoying the modern luxuries. You will really get a bit more insight into the lives of local people here when you visit the art galleries because a lot of their lives, landscapes and emotions are displayed openly for you to see.

2) Moti Azima Gallery - Discover A Unique Form of Art

There are so many different things to see and do in Nepal that you will be spoilt for choice when you visit. There are temples, shrines, monuments and statues. Colorful festivals with ancient traditions will brighten even the gloomiest of days, while a visit to one ofNepal’s theaters will inspire, entertain and even educate you. There are many different aspects of the country’s culture which are just waiting to be discovered. Most do this by visiting the many museums and art galleries in Nepal.

Not every art gallery in Nepal displays your typical fine art and sculpture that you’d expect to find. The Moti Azima Gallery is a definite exception. Not only does the building itself seem somewhat unexceptional when you first find it, but the subject matter is far different from any other gallery in the country. The Moti Azima Gallery in Nepal is a showcase of local handmade items – from utensils to dolls. Here you will find traditional items, used in every day life over the centuries, and a beautiful selection of local hand crafted items. There is also an excellent selection of handmade dolls that represent the various ethnic groups in the area. The Moti Azima Gallery provides excellent insight into traditional social customs and styles of living and the entire gallery is housed in the medieval house which was typical of the sort of house owned by a Newar family during that period. The Moti Azima Gallery is therefore a combination of history, culture, art and handicrafts and a trip to this gallery will not only fascinate you but prove to be a very informative trip into the past of Nepal.

You will find the Moti Azima Gallery in a rather unimportant looking building which is three stories high and has quite a narrow front. The building is situated in Bhimsenthan in Kathmandu en route to Visnumati bridge and one would walk right past it were it not for the small, inconspicuous sign outside. The gallery is privately owned and not only features a gallery but a boutique shop where you can purchase mementos to remind you of your visit. The gallery is open from Sunday to Friday and adds a whole new dimension to any visit to Nepal.

3) Nepal Association of Fine Arts Gallery

The Nepal Association of Fine Arts was established in the year 1965. It was founded by King Birendra, of which he was the chairman. In 1977, the Nepal Association of Fine Arts became affiliated to the Royal Nepal Academy, and has remained a part of the Arts and Crafts Department of the Academy. The NAFA was established because of the King’s devotion to the development of art, and today it still carries this vision as its foundation.

To expose various talented artists to the public, the NAFA opened theNAFA Gallery in the Naxal Palace. Once home to the Rana family, this beautiful neo-classical structure embraces the latest artistic styles with the elegance it was constructed with. The desire to inspire young artists, develop both art and artists and expose the public of Nepal to fine art is evident in the exhibits that are displayed in the NAFA Gallery. It is definitely one of the richest art galleries in Nepal. The gallery itself has been divided into two sections, the Birendra Art Gallery and the general gallery. The NAFA Gallery is used to promote upcoming artists and the talents of the future by hosting temporary exhibits. The Birenda Art Gallery, on the other hand, has permanent exhibits of artwork, which consists of painting and sculptures.

The NAFA Art Gallery does differ somewhat from other art galleries in Nepal. Artists are able to exhibit their work in the gallery at a small fee and the style or structure of the pieces is unlimited. Here, artists can display their paintings, photography, crafts, traditional art, contemporary art, sculptures or any other form of art. The walls of the gallery can display approximately sixty to a hundred and fifty paintings, depending on the size of the individual pieces.

Every year, on the birthday of King Birendra, the NAFA Gallery hosts a National Arts and Crafts Exhibition, including various artistic workshops. Many artists from all corners of Nepal flock to this annual event, not only to display their work, but to win the grand prize. In each division, such as contemporary, traditional or sculptures, winners are selected, which highlights the artists work and the beauty of art in general. There are many paintings and breathtaking pieces that can be bought and visitors might be pleasantly surprised if the artist's work they selected becomes famous one day.

4) Top Exhibitions at the Nepal Art Council Gallery

If you are an art lover that is looking for something a little different the next time you visit Nepal, why not give the Nepal Art Council Gallery a try? This excellent gallery displays both local and international artworks, which are both contemporary and traditional, in an effort broaden the horizons of local art lovers. The gallery regularly hosts a variety of excellent exhibitions in its massive exhibition area and it attracts all kinds of people who are usually quite curious and want to know more.

The Nepal Art Council Gallery is a non-government organization which offers locals and any other interested persons the opportunity to become more familiar with the art world. Instead of focusing on art sales and supporting a permanent gallery, the Nepal Art Council Gallery chooses to place greater emphasis on the holding of regular art exhibitions. These may feature a variety of local art, focus on the art from one particular nation or enjoy a combination of both. The exhibition area is quite large and thus provides an excellent place to display a variety of paintings, sculpture and other artwork. In fact these exhibitions have been so well chosen in the past that the gallery has gained an international reputation for exhibition excellence.

One example of such an exhibition was the ‘Discover Japan through Contemporary Posters’ exhibit that was held in February 2002. This excellent display of contemporary artwork was organized by the Embassy of Japan and the then Chairman of the Nepal Art Council and was held at the Nepal Art Council Gallery. It ran for one week and was open to the public daily, enabling local art enthusiasts to get an idea of contemporary Japanese life, culture and tradition by closely examining the some 75 different posters that were drawn up by a selection of top Japanese graphic designers. It certainly drew a massive response and was one of the gallery’s many successful exhibitions.

The Nepal Art Council Gallery is one of the top art galleries in Nepal. It is situated in Babar Mahal near the Tribhuvan International Airport and is never a disappointment. So make sure you include a visit to this excellent gallery in your travel plans.

5) Srijana Contemporary Art Gallery

The Srijana Contemporary Art Gallery is located in Kathmandu, on the grounds of the Bhrikutimandap Exhibition. It was founded in 1985 and consists of the collaboration of art pieces created by both painters and sculptors. Visitors will be able to view the masterpieces that were created by the hands of well-known artists and explore the work that will create the talented artists of tomorrow.

As with many of the art galleries in Nepal, the Srijana Contemporary Art Gallery tries to promote local Nepali art, and develop contemporary art as a part of the country’s culture. Curious local residents or tourists will be able to meet the various artists and discuss their art style. Not many art galleries in Nepal offer visitors the chance to improve and explore their own creative skills. The Srijana Contemporary Art Gallery offers art classes in the adjacent building, where the artists have established a college to promote the talents of upcoming artists and offer assistance and advice to those who are just interested in art as a hobby.

When looking for fascinating and exciting contemporary art galleries in Nepal, visitors will find that the Srijana Contemporary Art Gallery comes highly recommended. It has a permanent exhibition of established and new artists, but also hosts a wide variety of temporary exhibits. The temporary exhibits change regularly and therefore always has something new to display. These temporary exhibits have also assisted many new artists to be seen and start very successful careers. In 2002, as part of a promotion campaign, the gallery hosted an art sale. The art on display ranged from works of art done in oil, water, pen, acrylic and etchings. Landscapes, contemporary and abstract art was available. Any from of art you can think of was on sale. It was an opportunity for the artists to receive great exposure, and the public to buy and own a magnificent piece of art. To make the sale accessible to all members of the public, prices of the art were not allowed to exceed the maximum price limit, which was determined by the organizers.

Many artists have displayed their art the Srijana Contemporary Art Gallery, one of the most popular contemporary art galleries in Nepal. These exhibitions included work by Yusuf Arakkal in 1994, The Two Men Exhibition in 1993 by Batsa Gopal Vaidya and the Human Happiness exhibition by Sarita Dongol in 1992. Rukmani Dhital had the opportunity to host her very first solo exhibition at the gallery. The gallery does not only bring exposure to art, but hope to the artist who dream of their work hanging on the walls of a collector.

 6) Discover Nepali Fine Art at the NEF-ART Gallery

Nepal has long been a country of mystery and wonder. From the awe-inspiring mountains to the lush green vegetation of the many fabulous national parks, inspiration is everywhere. Colorful religious traditions and striking sculptures and monuments further provide the mental food that an artist needs. All these different elements combine in a swirl of color and emotion at the NEF-ART Gallery – one of the top art galleries in Nepal.

Also known as the Nepal Fine Art Gallery, the NEF-ART Gallery in Nepal is an excellent place to go if you are looking for art by some of the country’s leading fine art artists. Filled to the brim with stirring artwork from Nepal, this excellent museum showcases both traditional and contemporary art. Art has always played an integral role in the culture and religion of Nepal with icons and statues long being used in worship. Over the years, the art of Nepal made the transitional leap from religion to commerce with more and more beautiful Nepali artworks being chosen for their artistic and decorative value instead of their religious significance. People from across the globe have seen fit to purchase these remarkably stirring artworks and either take them home or sell them on in other countries where their value can be appreciated by people from around the world. Today, when dealers and buyers come to Nepal looking for art, they know that the NEF-ART Gallery is always a good place to start.

The NEF-ART Gallery is well known for its preference for displaying traditional Nepalese sculptures and paintings. Traditional Nepalese paintings are known locally as ‘Paubhas’. If you see a sign outside the gallery informing the public of a ‘Paubhas display’ being held inside, you can be sure that you are in luck. Such displays of traditional Nepalese paintings are held at the gallery every once in a while and they give buyers and art students an excellent perception of the sort of idealistic art style that characterizes this type of art. These include flat, bright colors; intricate outlines; a Buddhist or Hindu theme and an idealistic way of expressing the concept behind the artwork. The NEF-ART Gallery is just a short work down Gabahal Street off Patan Durbar Square. Make sure that you don’t miss this excellent gallery.