Kathmandu, May 26
The Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) is set to host the “National Fine Arts Exhibition 2082” starting from May 28 (Jestha 15), showcasing 606 artworks by 571 artists from all seven provinces. The exhibition aims to promote Nepali art and artists while reinforcing the Academy’s core mission: “Social Transformation through the Campaign of Fine Arts.”
At a press conference held on Monday, Chancellor Naradmani Hartamchhali highlighted that the event marks the mid-point of his four-year tenure, during which NAFA has prioritised strategic initiatives such as artist profiling, art research, and promotion of multi-dimensional art practices.
Vice Chancellor and Exhibition Coordinator Lal Kaji Lama announced that preparations for the exhibition have reached the final stage. He emphasised the exhibition’s role in preserving artistic originality and integrating indigenous art into the mainstream.
Executive Secretary Devendra Kumar Kafle (Thumkeli) shared that this year’s exhibition will feature a wide range of art forms, including those from marginalized and endangered communities. He stressed the importance of artists contributing to societal transformation.
Curator and academic member Pradeep Shakya said the exhibition continues the theme from the 2080 BS and 2081 BS editions, focusing on the role of artists in social change. “This exhibition explores whether artists themselves are evolving along with the changing society,” he remarked.
The exhibition includes:
- 564 regional artworks selected from the 2081 Provincial Exhibitions held in Surkhet, Belbari (Morang), Janakpur, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, and Dhangadhi.
- 42 non-competing and 33 invited artworks, totaling 79.
Medium-wise breakdown:
- Contemporary painting: 208 works by 201 artists
- Traditional painting: 73 works by 72 artists
- Contemporary/modern sculpture: 52 works by 51 artists
- Traditional sculpture: 18 works by 16 artists
- Architecture and folk art: 88 works by 84 artists
- Craft and handicrafts: 79 works by 74 artists
- Photography and other creative arts: 59 works by 45 artists
- Installation art: 9 works by 9 artists
- Cartoons: 14 works by 13 artists
- Caricatures: 3 works by 3 artists
- Digital art: 1 artwork
- Performance art: 2 works by 2 artists
Major Awards:
- Arniko National Fine Arts Honor: Dr Seema Sharma Shah and Mangal Lama (Rs 150,000 each)
- National Fine Arts Writing Award: Saroj Bajracharya (Rs 60,000)
- National Fine Arts Journalism Awards: Shiva Tamang (Gorkhapatra) and Hemant Gautam (Nepal Television) — Rs 30,000 each
- Fine Arts Promotion Honor: Nepal Handicraft Federation and artist Pratima Pandey
- Best National Fine Arts Award: Binamra Dangol (Traditional Painting) — Rs 100,000
- Category-wise Awards (Rs 60,000 each):
- Krishna Lama (Contemporary Painting)
- Chandramani Magar (Modern Sculpture)
- Shankarkumar Joshi (Traditional Painting)
- Suresh Lavat Tuladhar (Traditional Sculpture)
- Rajkumar Shilpakar (Craft)
- Jyotikomari Sapkota (Architecture/Folk Art)
- Saphal Prakash Shrestha (Photography/Creative Art)
Emerging Talent Awards:
- National Emerging Talent Award: Bhim Bahadur BK (Rs 60,000)
- Provincial Emerging Talent Awards (Rs 30,000 each):
- Koshi: Bhawana Gurung
- Madhes: Nirupam Jaiswal
- Bagmati: Suprina Ghalan
- Gandaki: Dhawa Dorje Gurung
- Lumbini: Rukaya Banu
- Sudurpaschim: Nishant Sunar
Best Provincial Artists (Rs 50,000 each):
- Koshi: Ngawang Chiri Sherpa
- Madhes: Sonam Singh Bhloon
- Bagmati: Reena Shakya
- Gandaki: Dal Bahadur Gurung
- Lumbini: Liladhar KC
- Karnali: Kumari Sita Mall
- Sudurpaschim: Ramesh Kadayat
Additional awards recognize excellence across various mediums, including installation art, photography, traditional crafts, and architecture, with each category winner receiving Rs 30,000.
Memorial Awards:
- Anil Lama Memorial Award: Ashmina Ranjit
- Baburam Lama Memorial Award: Gangadhar Saru
- Each award carries a prize of Rs 50,000
Organisational and Partnership Highlights:
The event is supported by institutions such as the Nepal Academy, Cultural Corporation, provincial governments, and municipalities. Media partnership is provided by the National Photo Journalists Group, and the exhibition is promoted by the Nepal Tourism Board.
The logo for the 2082 BS exhibition, designed by artist and curator Pradeep Shakya, was introduced in 2080 BS.
The exhibition runs until June 12 (Jestha 30) and is widely regarded as a national art festival that celebrates diversity, nurtures creativity, and contributes to the country’s cultural economy.
