I would not be exaggerating when I say that the artist duo of Asha Dangol and Erina Tamrakar, two of the seven members of the Kasthamandap Group, are probably the most exciting couple in the contemporary art world of Nepal. They are both immensely talented and both have had plenty of accolades showered their way. Their first exhibition as a couple, Avatars & Interpretations, was held on February 13, 2011, at the Siddhartha Art Gallery in Baber Mahal Revisited, Kathmandu. It was touted simply as ‘an exhibition of paintings and mixed media works’ but the works on display, covering all three floors of the gallery, was far from a simple affair. If there are any naysayers out there who find it hard to believe that art can be engrossing, engaging, uplifting and, and, well, let me say it, mind blowing, then this is an exhibition that will lay all doubts to rest.

Erina’s women, those marvelous females, docile, bashful, beautiful, and utterly charming, many have said it before, let me say it again, Erina’s women are captivating. Starting from the thoughtfulness that has gone in the choice of colors to the size of the canvases, from the delicate yet strongly crafted lines to the sheer aesthetics, Erina’s canvases are truly mesmerizing. Of particular interest are some where the artist has produced a fantastic play of shadow and light. ‘Woman with long hair’ is one such example. And, one among the four ‘Woman with third eye’ series is simply brilliant, to say the least.

In sharp contrast, Asha’s works are intriguing. Yes, one need not say more, just that word, ‘intriguing’ is enough. However, this word in itself carries a world of meaning and in its simplest form, means to make somebody greatly interested or immensely curious. If Asha’s canvases don’t make your mind go in all directions, then not much else will. This artist carries a loaded gun but he is a sharpshooter, one who does not shoot from the hip, but rather, takes his time to lay the crosswire dead on target. And, even if he scores every single time, his ‘Chariots’ and ‘Radha Krishna’ do still stand out as works that are perhaps a shade more brilliantly conceived and artfully done than the others which are themselves of very high caliber indeed.

February 13, 2011 to March 10, 2011
Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal Revisited

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