Of Struggles and Dreams: A Homage to the People of Nepal

In August 2015, following the devastating earthquakes that struck Nepal earlier that year, I presented a series of paintings titled: Of Struggles and Dreams: A Homage to the People of Nepal at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babar Mahal, Kathmandu.

Created during my residency at the Kathmandu Contemporary Arts Centre (KCAC), the exhibition emerged from the months I spent living through the earthquake and volunteering as part of the relief effort. The paintings were a personal response to the resilience, strength, uncertainty, and hope I witnessed in the faces and lives of the people around me during this extraordinary period.

The exhibition also featured a number of collaborative works created with acclaimed Paubha artist Samundra Man Singh Shrestha, bringing together contemporary painting and traditional Newar artistic practice in a shared exploration of loss, endurance, and cultural resilience.

The opening was made especially memorable by a live performance from the renowned contemporary folk band Kutumba, whose music added another layer of reflection and celebration to the evening.

This exhibition marked an important chapter in the development of my artistic practice, reinforcing my belief in the power of art to respond to lived experience, build connections across artistic traditions, and create spaces for dialogue during times of profound social change.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Sangeeta Thapa and the Kathmandu Contemporary Arts Centre for their support through the residency, and for the opportunity to present this exhibition at Siddhartha Art Gallery.