Moments of Passion

Exhibition of 3rd solo collage paintings

@ The Art Shop, Durbarmarg
6 – 15 May 2007

Few words from Gaurav

My Journey with collage started in 2000 and I have been moving ahead with it ever since. This third solo exhibition of mine exhibits a collection of few collages from 2002-2007, with diverse styles and techniques. Giving waste materials life through collage is a pleasurable experience for me. My love for creating collage through innovative ideas gives me the absolute freedom to express myself in a uniquely different approach.

Moments of Passion

SPACES – July/Aug 2007

The 3rd Solo Exhibition of Collage Paintings by Gaurav Shrestha was inaugurated at The Art Shop on Durbar Marg by the chairman of the Fine Art Critics Society, Ramesh Khanal. Gaurav says that giving life to waste materials through his collages gives him a lot of pleasure as well as the freedom to express himself in an unique way.

Comprising of works done from 2002 to the current year, it is obvious to the keen observer that Gaurav seems to have had a most promising start in 2002 with interesting and well balanced canvases like ‘Blast’, a playful sort of work, and collages created from paper cuttings like ‘Thinker’ and ‘Harsh Emergence’. Collages from 2005 like ‘God’s eye view’, ‘Coming back to Life’, ‘Where the River Flows’ and ‘The Road Map to Peace’, with ‘Stuck in Transition’ especially outstanding due to its creative rendering in dark blue and crimson. ‘Swayambhu in veil of Mist’ (2006) as well as ‘This side of Paradise’ and ‘Blanket of Rays’ from his 2007 collection seemed to have similarly executed themes while ‘The Reflection of Time’ (2007), was one of his larger experimentations on cardboard.

Moments of Passion

ECS – June 2007

It takes a jeweler’s worth to find the hidden shine in an uncut diamond. In the same manner, it takes an artist’s eye to turn the clutter of the everyday mundane into brilliant pieces of art. Gaurav Shrestha does the same with audacity. He finds it easy to express himself through collages. “Giving waste material life through a collage is a pleasuable experience,” he explains.

The exhibition at the Art Shop showcases his works from 2002-2007. While most of his contemporaries are busy toying with color brushes and palette, he’s busy with little bits of paper and cardboard and a whole lot of imagination to create his signature pieces and yes, lots of glue to stick it in. “My love for creating collages,” he claims, “Gives me the absolute freedom to express myself in a uniquely different approach.” And yes, it’s absolutely fresh and innovative.

कार्डबोर्डमा कला

Himal Khabarpatrika – 15 May 2007

पुराना पत्रिका र भित्तेपात्रो आदिका टुक्राटुक्री टाँसेर कलालाई नयाँ रुप दिन्छन्, गौरव।

रमझमदेखि युद्धबाट शान्तितर्फको यात्रा जस्ता विविध विषयमा बनाइएका गौरव श्रेष्ठको चित्रहरूको पनि छुट्टै विशेषता छ। उनी साधारण क्यानभासमा नभएर कार्डबोर्डमा चित्र कोर्छन् भने पुराना पत्रिका, भित्तेपात्रो आदिका टुक्राटुक्री टाँसेर नयाँ रुप दिन्छन्।

चित्रकलामा रङको प्रमुख भूमिका हुने भए पनि उनको काममा रङभन्दा अरू सामग्री महत्त्वपूर्ण हुन्छन्। कोलाज पेन्टिङमा विगत आठ वर्षदेखि काम गरिरहेका गौरव भन्छन्, “नगरपालिकाले गर्ने काम मैले गरिरहेको छु। पुराना खेर जाने सामानबाट राम्रो सिर्जना हुन्छ भने किन प्रयोग नगर्ने?” गौरवका अनुसार कोलाज पेन्टिङमा झञ्झट धेरै हुन्छ, त्यसैले यसका लागि धेरै धैर्य चाहिन्छ।

२३ वैशाखदेखि १ जेठसम्म गौरवका मोमेन्ट्स अफ प्यासन शृङ्खलाका चित्रहरू दरबारमार्गको द आर्ट शपमा प्रदर्शनीमा राखिएका छन्। प्रदर्शनीबाट राम्रो प्रतिक्रिया पाइरहेका गौरव भन्छन्, “साधारण दर्शक पनि आर्टसम्बन्धी चासो राख्ने भइसक्यो त्यसैले पेन्टिङ बेच्न विदेशीमै भर पर्नुपर्ने अवस्था छैन।” गौरवका चित्रहरूको मूल्य ३५ सयदेखि १७ हजारसम्मका छन्।

चित्रमा परेको मेहनत वा समय भन्दा पनि आफूलाई मन परेको चित्रको मोल बढी तोक्ने गरेको उनी बताउँछन्। प्रदर्शनीका चित्रहरू रिएलिसम, मोर्डन, अब्स्ट्रयाक्ट, सेमी अब्स्ट्रयाक्ट जस्ता विभिन्न विधाका छन्। पेशाले फन्ट डिजाइनर गौरव भन्छन्, “म कलाको कुनै वादमा बाँधिएर बस्दिनँ। मेरा चित्रले जुन फर्म पनि लिन सक्छन्।”

कोलाजका गौरव

Nepal Weekly Magazine – 13 May 2007
जसरी रेशमकीराले किम्बुको पातबाट मूल्यवान् रेशम उत्पादन गर्छ, त्यसरी नै कलाकार गौरव श्रेष्ठ अरूले काम नलाग्ने ठानेर फ्याँकेका वस्तुलाई सुन्दर कलेवरमा ढाल्छन् । आफ्ना कोलाज पेन्टिङ्को तेस्रो एकल प्रदर्शनी ‘मोमेन्ट्स अफ प्यासन’ को उद्घाटनमा वैशाख २३ गते विज्ञहरूले उनलाई नेपालका एक मात्र ‘कोलाज कलाकार’ भनिरहँदा पहेँलो धर्के कुर्ता र जिन्समा सजिएका गौरव मन्द मुस्कान छरिरहेका थिए ।

त्यसो त गौरवको अर्को परिचय पनि छ । उनी मदन पुरस्कार पुस्तकालयका ‘फन्ट डेभलोपर’ हुन् । अक्षर र कोलाजको के साइनो ? उनी भन्छन्, “साइनो छ, अक्षरले मेरा पेन्टिङ्मा कुनै न कुनै रूपमा स्थान पाएकै हुन्छ ।” नभन्दै ‘रिफ्लेक्सन अफ टाइम’ शीर्षकको उनको चित्रकलामा पुरानो क्यालेण्डर, घडी र एउटा पत्रिकाको ‘क्लिपिङ्’ ले वर्ष, शताब्दीदेखि सेकेण्डसम्मलाई विम्बात्मक प्रस् तुति गरेका छन् ।

पानी रङबाट शुरू भएको उनको कलाकारिता अहिले ‘सेमी एब्स्ट्रयाक’ सम्म आइपुगेको छ । नेपालमा कोलाज पेन्टिङ्लाई स्थापित गर्न आफू कटिबद्ध रहेको गौरव बताउँछन् ।

Passionate Expressions

The Himalayan Times – 13 May 2007
Kathmandu: Having romanced with collage work since 2000, young artist Gaurav Shrestha has put up his third solo exhibition at the Art Shop, Durbarmarg. Titled Moments of Passion, the exhibition comprises 20 of his artwork crafted in the last five years.

Culture, religion, peace and spirituality find more space in Shrestha’s collage pieces. Made mostly from pieces of cardboard and paper, magazines, and calendars, the works expose Shrestha’s awareness on contemporary issues and a revence for the divine.

In one such collage, he attempts to spur joy in the onlooker’s mind, whereas in another he seeks to inspire deep spirituality. His yearning for peace is visible in, among others, the image of the Buddha juxtaposed against the image of the mushroom cloud entailing the explosion of atom bomb. Similarly, in another piece he tries to show a white bird symbolic of Nepal stuck in transition.

His love for the modern is also visible in his portrayal of the Friday Night fever. Landscapes of hilly regions too find good space. The exhibition is on till May 15.

Gaurav uses diverse styles to present landscapes, art, culture

The Rising Nepal – 11 May 2007
That Nepal is rich in art, culture and natural heritage is a well-known fact. One can experience the charm and beauty of Nepali art and culture through an important means of paintings.

With a view to present beautiful landscapes, culture and contemporary issues for the audience, artist Gaurav Shrestha has put on a total of 20 canvases in exhibition in The Art Shop. Almost all of his paintings portray the beautiful landscapes, cultural background that provides an insight on the Nepal’s contemporary issues.

The exhibition displays a collection of few collages ranging from the year 2002 to 2007 with the theme “Moments of Passion”. The collages have diverse styles and techniques.

The price of each paintings ranges from Rs. 3,500 to 17,500. Four of his painting has already been sold. The exhibition remains open till 15th may at The Art Shop, Durbar Marg.

The art of Gaurav is different from the other artist because he usually used collage method in the canvas, while many other artists do use color in their painting.

“Collage is cut and paste technique that gives beautiful shape from the wasted materials” Gaurav said. He had already performed two solo exhibitions. During his two solo painting exhibitions he had witnessed the overwhelming response from the audiences. In his first exhibition, Gaurav’s styles of collage was created by patching together materials such as magazine, clippings, wasted white sacks and calendars.

While in his second show, he has used only cardboard as canvas the outcome of which was unique, incredible and impressive.

“My love for creating collage through innovative ideas gives me the absolute freedom to express myself in a uniquely different approach,” he said.

Gaurav, who is a self-taught, began journey of painting from 2051 B.S, while he started the work of collage in 2000.

He believes that Nepalese people are aware enough about the work of art and they are ready to pay if the works are original and blended in beautiful works.

Gone are the days when the artist had had hard time surviving through their works of art. Earlier, only foreign diplomats and the people belonging to rich classes buy the paintings and other works or arts. But now people from every walk of life love to buy and see them, he said.

“I have receives positive admiration and appreciation from the audiences for my work and he believes that he is committed to do better in future” Gaurav said.

He said those who have already made the mark in the field of art could easily sustain their life through art. But the newcomers in the field would have hard time, he said.

Gaurav has already done four group paintings and has participated in different painting and photo competition.

The Art Shop : College of Collages

The Kathmandu Post (city post) – 9 May 2007
For the very first time in Nepal, an artist has attempted to present his collage works in a full-fledged manner. All of the works of painter Gaurav Shrestha that are displayed at The Art Shop of Durbar Marg in Kathmandu are contemporary in nature and entirely consisting of patchworks. He has been associated with collage art form since 2000, and this time, he has exhibited twenty of his works from 2000 to 2007.

Consequently, the third solo exhibition of Gaurav Shrestha entitled “Moments of Passion” was inaugurated by chairman of Fine Art Critics Society and celebrated artist Ramesh Khanal on May 6.

By patching together bits and pieces of magazines and paper, he has created a unique form of art; and on sincere inspection, the picturesque mosaic forms to give certain contours and images.

Varieties of techniques and styles can be witnessed on his collection. And peace seems to be the main theme or focus in his works. With every composition, he has endeavored to convey a message of harmony and tranquility. His “Reflection of Delight” is extraordinary for its color combination, and is flawless; and he has played with light and contrast to give a certain added texture to the painting on cardboard.

Though some paintings are mediocre, the others are actually good if you devote some time to comprehend the entire formation of his works.

“Giving waste materials life through collage is a delightful experience for me,” gushes artist Gaurav. “My love for creating collage through innovative ideas gives me the absolute freedom to express myself in a uniquely different approach.”

The exhibition will wrap up on May 15.

गौरवको चित्रकला प्रदर्शनी सुरू

Annapurna Post – 7 May 2007
कलाकार गौरव श्रेष्ठको तेस्रो एकल चित्रकला प्रदर्शनी आईतबारदेखि काटमाडौंको दरबारमार्ग स्थित द आर्ट सपमा सुरु भएको छ। फाइन आर्ट क्रिटिक्स सोसाइटीका अध्यक्ष रमेश खनालले उदघाटन गर्नुभएको सो चित्रकला प्रदर्शनीलाई ‘मोमेन्ट अफ प्यासन’ नाम दिइएको छ। प्रदर्शनीमा ‘गड्स आई भ्यू’,’कमिङ ब्याक टु लाइफ’, ‘ह्वेर द रिभर फ्लोज्’, ‘फ्राइडे नाइट’, ‘द रोड म्याप अफ पिस’, ‘मूक दर्शक’, ‘एकदन्त’ लगायतका विभिन्न शीर्षकका जम्मा २० वटा चित्र राखिएका छन्। जसमा श्रेष्ठले सन् २००२ देखि २००७ सम्ममा तयार गर्नुभएका चित्रहरु रहेका छन्। विगत केही समय देखि ‘कोलाज पेन्टिङ’मा सक्रिय रहँदै आएका कलाकार श्रैष्टले गतवर्ष राजधानीमै प्रथम र द्वितीय एकल चित्रकला प्रदर्शन गर्नुभएको थियो। यस पटकको प्रदर्शनी आगामि जेठ १ गते सम्म रहने छ।