Graduating as the second batch to complete KUart’s four-year BFA program, seven students will be presenting their works created in the last semester of their senior year.[break]
Republica Arts will be featuring each of these seven students, and give you a peek into their artworks in the following weeks, as they prepare for their much awaited solo exhibitions.
Gaurav Tripathi, 24
Major: Sculpture
Project title: Search for Utility
Written thesis: Functional art in
contemporary context
Exhibition: June 6-9, Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal
Standing next to his sculpture of pinewood in the gallery of KUart in Mandikatar, Gaurav says, “The beauty of wood as a material is its texture and grains, which is why I chose not to color it.”
The iron joints beautifully complement the wood, and recall medieval Gothic architecture – but with a twist. What looks like a reclining figure from afar, Gaurav calls the piece Crouch.
“As an artist, my concern is to explore the utility of art,” reads the first sentence of Gaurav’s artist statement. The non-believer of making “art for art’s sake” shares, “My father is an architect, and I have always leaned towards making works which can be a part of an interior architectural space.”
Inspired by the minimalist artist Donald Judd, the Bauhaus School of Germany, and the works of architects such as Frank Llyod Wright, Gaurav’s final project is an attempt to create prototypes of sculptures that have an intimate relationship with people.
“This piece is inspired by pirkas that we use for sitting,” Gaurav shows another of his creations. Instead of a flat surface, he has customized his pirka (also “pira”) with curved recesses designed for sitting cross-legged.
“I like to maintain an artistic quality in my designs,” he adds. A counterbalance table perhaps best exemplifies his statement. Simple in appearance yet intriguing, one has to place things on either side, like in a balance, to keep the table upright.
Gaurav’s interest art and utility is furthered by his written thesis, which is concerned with the interpretations of functional art, such as African tribal masks. Upon graduation, Gaurav plans to further his study in architecture or management.
Amit Raj Shilakar, 28
Major: Sculpture
Project title: Quiet Crowd
Written thesis: Reintegration of Traditional Motifs in Contemporary Nepali Sculpture
Exhibition: June 8-20, Park Gallery, Pulchowk
Coming from a Newar family of Shilakars, known for making traditional stone sculptures, it was natural for Amit to take up fine arts.
“However, I wanted to do something different from my ancestors,” he explains his decision to join KUart four years back.
Although, in his years of exploration, Amit eventually ended up choosing sculpture as his major, his choice of material is unique and unconventional.
“In Nepal, we use coins not just as money but in garlands, jewelries, and we also have beliefs of healing toothaches with coins,” he informs and elaborates his concept, “I wanted to explore the idea of the content versus the container and started by making a traditional khutruke (piggy bank) with coins.”
Constructed out of one- and two-rupee coins collected from shops, temples and banks, Amit has created a real-size trashcan, a khutruke, a fan, and figurative pieces as well.
“When an individual item comes in mass, it makes a stronger statement,” he opines.
Amit used the process of brazing, a metal-joining technique, to put together his sculptures.
“Our coins are alloys made from different metals; their magnetic nature reveals that they have some iron in them,” informs Amit. One of his favorite works is a crouching figure, which appears to be wearing a drape.
Sharing the findings of his written thesis he says, “Many artists are knowingly and unknowingly using different traditional motifs in their works in Nepal.”
According to Amit, the most commonly used motifs include the Swastika, Shreevatsa (endless knot), and trishul (trident).
“Religion is strongly rooted in our culture, and most of these symbols come from religion,” he puts in.
“My destination is not yet clear, but art will always be with me,” concludes Amit about his future beyond KUart.
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