Gaurav Shrestha needs no introduction. He is well known for his collages involving various materials and forms, which he has been creating for past 10 years. We also showcased some of his collages in May 2008 in his 6th solo exhibition "MaterialScapes". However, this time his style has completely changed. He is presenting his works on mixed media paintings.

All the paintings bear a single similarity - "OM", which has an utmost importance in Hinduism. While originating from Hinduism, "OM" has gained much pouplatiry among the spiritual people as an eternal sound. It is believed that starting the day with "OM" brings in peace and harmony to one's day. The sound of "OM" is represented graphically in letter "OM" which is also known as "Omkar", the Aakar(shape) of OM. In this series of paintings, Gaurav expresses the Omkar in various forms, colours and arrangements which we call Omkarnations - the incarnations of Omkar. The expression of Omkar in rich colours along with geometrical shapes create strong graphical works which bring together aesthetics and the eternity.

Gaurav has been doing collage painting since last 10 years and this is his 8th solo painting exhibition. He has also been a part of many groups exhibition and art workshops, mainly with his group Infinity Group. With participation and winning entries in various art competitions he is very well known within the artists community in Nepal. Besides Nepal, his collectors are also located in India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Singapore, Israel, France, USA, UK, Germany, Scotland & Netherlands.

Curators,
Dr Prabigya Siwakoti and Mr. Shivendra Patrabansh
June 9, 2010
Gallery 32, Dent Inn

I started out my art journey with pencil drawings and water color paintings. Starting from the year 2000 I have been working continuously on collages, with numerous variations in my art work. During the span of ten years I had completely devoted myself into creating pure, advanced and abstract collages which was visible on my 1st to 7th solo paintings exhibitions. However, this 8th solo painting exhibition of mine is based on mixed-media instead of collage, which I feel is completely different from my previous art works.

The main theme of this exhibition is “Omkarnations” which is my unique expression in a graphical, modern and symbolic way. These paintings in the exhibit are the result of a year long effort of mine and include varieties of paintings in mixed media. All of these paintings have emerged out through the sheer joy of playing with colors and melodies of the inner music - “OM”. Through these creations one can feel inner peace, harmony and positive vibration.

I have always believed in creating creative collages and paintings through innovative ideas which grants me the freedom to express myself in a unique manner. It has always been my desire to create distinct and experimental art with novel ideas in diverse styles.

Gaurav Shrestha, known for his rich mystical collages, has moved out from his forte to experiment into the vibrations generated by incarnations of the eternal word 'OM'. As the artist commented at the launch, it was refreshing positive change - something one needs at times to reflect and review to be more creative as it develops. The 28 mix media art pieces on display at the Gallery32@Dent Inn were a one year journey of experimentations, gradually progressing from the Om implanted on a chromatic metal blue and then gradually breaking away to fine geometric coloured progressions vibrating from the central Om theme.

Gaurav Shrestha is a self-proclaimed ‘learner who is indulged deeply in his passion’. He started off really early. In his words, “I was an artist since childhood. I would paint and draw on whatever I could get my hands on. When I was in middle school, I was took to water colours and painted all the time. With peer pressure my passion took back-seat for a while but after finishing my 10th grade, I started with it again as a hobby. I thought of art and painting all the time. I often wondered if it was paint instead of blood that was running down my veins (laughs). My schedule always had painting in it and it was then that I thought of taking it up as a profession. My family wasn’t supportive at first but as the number of collectors started to grow, my parents were by my side. My intro into the world of art and artists, professionally wasn’t a very smooth one but I guess that is something most aspiring artists go through. Today as I look back, I am glad that I didn’t give up then and persevered on with what I was doing, because now, I am happy with the recognition that I have achieved.

Gaurav is one artist who is not easily impressed by certificates. He believes that some sort of an innate talent is what is needed to become a great artist. Certificates according to him churn out run-off-the-mill professionals. He says, “I started with full determination and hibernated in my house trying to do something different, working for 16-17 hours at a stretch. It might seem crazy but it was during this period that I came up with the idea of collage paintings. Today, I feel really proud to have started the trend of collage paintings in Nepal. During the last ten years I had completely devoted myself to creating pure, advanced and abstract collages. My recent exhibition, Omkarnations which was my 8th solo exhibition was my newest offering to the Nepali art scene. I experimented with mixed- media instead of collage, which I feel is completely different from what I had done previously.

Gaurav shares a sentiment echoed by most artists - being an artist in Nepal is very difficult. First, only selected artists sell, and second, it takes years for new artists to settle and achieve recognition. And who would know that better than Gaurav when he has himself survived frustrating points in his professional career - when he stocked up his completed projects at home and people came and took his art works for free.

Talking about his recent exhibition Gaurav says, “My recent work, “Omkarnations” expresses art in a graphical, modern and symbolic way. The paintings were the result of a year-long effort which included varieties of paintings in mixed media. All of these paintings have emerged out through the sheer joy of playing with colours and melodies of the inner music - “OM”, which makes one feel inner peace, harmony and positivity. I have always believed in creating creative collages and paintings through innovative ideas which grants me the freedom to express myself with novel ideas and diverse styles.”

On 14 June, Gaurav Shrestha showcased his series of paintings at Gallery32 @ Dent Inn. The exhibition, called Omkarnations, featured Omkar in various forms, colours and arrangements. All the paintings depicted the “Om” symbol which is synonymous with Hinduism. The exhibition was inaugurated by Yogendra Shakya, National Program Coordinator, Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

A regular visitor to art exhibitions will find something new this time at Gallery 32, Heritage Plaza II, Kamaladi. Graphic Designer Gaurav Shrestha has merged his professional skills with his passion for change to experiment his new paintings on mixed media. He has made use of geometries and designs to exercise a new line of creativity. In his 8th solo painting exhibition, inaugurated on June 14, Gaurav presents the Hindu symbol Omkar in rich colors with geometrical shapes which create strong graphical works and bring together aesthetics and the eternity.

The main theme of this exhibition is Omkarnations, the incarnations of Om, through which Gaurav has tried to express his personal statement as a painter. The exhibition is the result of his yearlong effort which includes varieties of paintings; with textures that are sometimes rough and at other times smoothly embossed. Altogether there are 28 paintings; among which some are replica series in different colours. In some works, he has brought forth imagery of Lord Ganesha in the OM itself, which makes it even more symbolic. Although bound within the Hindu symbols, the paintings can captivate audience irrespective of their religious faiths.

Entensive use of colour gradients add to a three dimensional view of the paintins. 'Due to the geometrical shape of the paintings', says Gaurav 'it was quite difficult to mix the exact amount of colour required.' Creating perfect hues in different colors made the job more difficult. Moreover, the paintings had to be done under natural light only in order to give a uniform view. However, like his paintings there was a hint of glow, and satisfaction in Gaurav's face as he explained his passion for creative art through symbols and designs. When enquired about the inspiration for the project, he says, 'All of these paintings have emerged out of the sheer joy of playing with colors and melodies of the inner music of Om.'

The response of the visitors so far has been very positive and encouraging. He reckons that artists in Nepal should be more aware and try the various new techniques of painting that has flourished in the international community.

The new genre of painting adopted by Gaurav is indeed entertaining as well as relaxing due to the smooth curves and cool colours. The exhibition will continue till July 13.

Opening Date: 14 June (Monday), Closing Date: 13 July (Tuesday), Venue: Gallery 32, Dent Inn, Time: 10 am to 6 pm (except Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays), 4241942, info@dent-inn.com, website www.gallery-32.com

In artist Gaurav Shrestha's recent exhibition, 'Omkarnations', all the paintings bear a similarity - "OM", a symbol which manifests itself with every Hindu since birth. The sound and shape of "OM" is also known as "Omkar". In this series of paintings, Shrestha expresses the Omkar in various forms, colours and arrangements, which he call Omkarnations - the incarnations of Omkar. The expression of Omkar in rich colours along with geometrical shapes creates strong graphical works which bring together aesthetics and the eternity. Gaurav has been doing collage painting since the last 10 years and this is his 8th solo painting exhibition. He has also been a part of many group exhibitions and art workshops, mainly with his "Infinity Group". With participation and winning entries in various art competitions, he is well know face in the artist community in Nepal. Besides Nepal, his collectors are also located in India, Indonesia, Israel, France, USA, UK, and Germany.


3 Qs with
Gaurav Shrestha
Artist

The Non-Religious 'Om'
An artist who believes in the unique, Shrestha has been leading us into different artistic avenues that ooze cretivity all the way.

A smell of religious biasness perhaps, with 'Om'?
Although 'Om' is a big part of my works, this is completely non-religious. I have done graphical representations, something new to the Nepali art scene. This is computer-based artwork donbe by hand, a modern style of art.

How has your new collection using mixed media broadened your artistry?
For ten years now, I have fully devoted my work to collage art, which is again unique in Nepal. This time, I used acrylic, oil and different types of paint for depth. Mixed media has helped make my work unique.

This kind of art is new for you. How challenging has it been?
This is an experiment and a break from my usual collage stuff. It has been very difficult but I enjoyed it thoroughly. My biggest painting from this collection took three months to complete, but it has been worth the effort because it has been well-appreciated. I think one feels the depth while gazing into it.

KATHMANDU: Art is probably the best medium for one to express oneself. Artist Gaurav Shrestha has done so quite well in his 8th solo painting exhibition which is on at Dent Inn, Heritage Plaza II, Kamaladi from June 14.

Combining the words Om and incarnation together, the artist has come up with a unique theme ‘Omkarnations’ in which he has used ‘Om’ in all 28 creations.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Yogendra Sakya, National coordinator of Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

“Though I’m not an artist, I feel this art is different and very original. I always find the younger generation mixing everything and giving birth to new things and ideas. The theme I feel is very appropriate in today’s context where Om often symbolises peace,” said Sakya.

The artist has used many colours and textures laying focus on Om. Shrestha, whose forte is collage painting and who has been doing so for the past 10 years, came up with a completely new idea. “I wanted to create something unique and break the monotony of the conventional paintings. So I indulged myself in this graphical painting, which is infact the first graphical work in Nepal,” shared the artist.

Shrestha, who believes in karma, has presented Om — the eternal spiritual sound of Hinduism — in a modern way moving out from the traditional and abstract world. And he has succeeded in delivering a completely different graphical and clean creation.

All his paintings have Om as the central theme while the background is done in geometrical shapes using lots of rich colours. According to Shrestha, “this is technology-based painting given its proper form with mixed media such as acrylic, oil colours et cetera.”

The exhibition is on till July 13.