Kathmandu, Nov 20: As rapid technological advancement transforms the way art is created, a group of 16 students from Kathmandu University (KU) is taking viewers back in time—showcasing how traditional Nepali artists once crafted paintings, sculptures, and colors using natural, locally available materials.
Their exhibition, titled “The Materiality of Art: Ephemeral Art Practices in the Nepali Artworld,” is currently on display at the Patan Durbar Museum.
The students from KU’s Department of Art and Design have recreated traditional art-making methods, demonstrating how ancient artists sourced and processed pigments, carved sculptures, and produced culturally significant artworks. Their displays highlight the materials commonly used in everyday life and how they were transformed into aesthetic creations.
Art lecturer Anil Shahi explained that the students conducted research into historical techniques—studying traditional painters, experimenting with natural materials, and then producing artworks based on those methods.
According to him, the exhibition largely represents Newar culture of the Kathmandu Valley, featuring works inspired by Ghantaghar, Gai Jatra, Laxmi Puja, Bhai Puja, and the Newar jankhu rituals.
One of the key highlights is the reproduction of woodblock printing, an ancient technique once widely used in Nepali art. Students also interviewed senior artists to understand the processes of earlier generations.
Devendra Thumkeli, member secretary of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, said the initiative is significant as it encourages emerging artists to embrace the techniques refined by their predecessors and bring them into contemporary exhibitions.
The exhibition opened on November 17 and will conclude tomorrow. #nepal #art #university
