The art exhibition Flowing Together by Saurganga Darshandhari and Prithvi Shrestha is currently being showcased at Gallery Mcube in Chakupat, Patan. The exhibition, which started on February 9, features paintings and printmaking that delve into their thoughts, expressions, and experiences.
The paintings and printmaking on display are subtle, and calm yet there is movement and vibrancy. The exhibition is the initiative of the gallery to celebrate the month of love and togetherness and an annual event, which began in 2023. Last year in February, the gallery presented the work of couple Erina Tamrakar and Asha Dangol.
According to Manish Lal Shrestha, curator of the exhibition, the exhibition is a celebration of artistic unity, illustrating the enduring influence of collaboration and the rhythmic dance between life and creativity.
“Beyond being a mere expression of societal concerns, their art serves as a living testament to the interweaving of personal and shared emotions,” says Shrestha. “With each masterpiece, Darshandhari and Shrestha submerge themselves in a sea of trust, showcasing not only artistic prowess but a profound dedication to living artfully.”
The exhibition’s title matches the works of the duo who have been together for more than a decade now, showing their life flowing with time along with their artistic journey together as a couple.
Way of expressing themselves
For both artists, their artworks are their way of expressing themselves and keeping an account of society similar to a visual diary. In the exhibition, it is evident that their artworks are a testament to their personal and shared emotions.
Viewers can find figurative images that resemble the artists and can see works on the themes of love, migration, adulthood, and life among others. Prithivi has used acrylic and watercolour on canvas to create his paintings, while Saurganga has used various printmaking techniques to create her printmaking.
Flowing Together has a total of 40 artworks which are displayed on the ground and first floor of the gallery.
“We have been together for more than a decade. Although we faced many ups and downs in our life, we have never given up on our work,” said Prithvi. “We have been continuously doing our work and the motifs we use have a sense of flow in it. So we gave the title Flowing Together for the exhibition.”
Together they have found Bindu, a space for artists and have collaborated with numerous national and international artists. However, this is the first time they have done a duo show.
In the theme of love and February being the month of love, Prithivi has created a series of paintings that viewers can instantly get connected to. He has created a couple series of sparrows, grasshoppers, frogs and dragonflies in four canvases.
Viewers can see repetitive colourful circular patterns flowing freely similar to the movements of waves, around the major motifs in Prithvi’s paintings. According to him, these colourful dots symbolise the channelisation of energy.
Similarly, in the form of clean lines, Saurganga has also captured the essence of flow, similar to the currents of the river. A romantic love is expressed in Prithvi’s paintings while love for children and parents’ woes are depicted in Saurganga’s printmaking. Using minimal yet detailed motifs she has created the longing of parents for their children who left Nepal for a better future, never to return. Along with prints, an installation, a wooden yellow aircraft in the shape of a paper plane is also displayed in the exhibition.
Being together
They are parents of two boys, while Saurganga is also handling the role of an academician and HoD of Architecture and other Creative Art at the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts. Saurganga said, “We are supportive of each other and my husband and family members have helped a lot. Due to their love and support, I have been able to continue my work.”
When asked if there is any ego clash between them, Prithivi said, “We never have any ego clash and there is no jealousy between us. Having her as my partner is the addition of a person in my life who cares about me. We communicate well to each other.”
The exhibition features Prithivi’s work from 2018 to 2024, while Saurganga’s works are created in 2024. It showcases their harmonious growth in collaboration fueled by mutual support, love and understanding.
Witness this flow of togetherness at the exhibition that continues till February 29.
