Art has always been a powerful medium for communicating emotions that transcend boundaries, cultures, and backgrounds. Regardless of where we come from or how we grew up, feelings like love, joy, sorrow, and hope remain universal. This theme is beautifully captured in the exhibition Accelerate Action, which showcases the works of 16 Nepali and four Malaysian artists. Hosted at Classis Gallery in Chakupat, Lalitpur, the exhibition opened on March 9 and offers a thought-provoking exploration of emotions through various art forms.
The Accelerate Action exhibition brings together an eclectic mix of 20 artists—16 from Nepal and 4 from Malaysia—each contributing their unique perspective on universal human experiences. The exhibit features a wide array of mediums, including paintings, prints, and ceramics, with Nepali artists—Sunita Maharjan, Sarita Dongol, Rukmani Shrestha, Sofiya Maharjan, Sumitra Baral, Jasmine Rajbhandari, Rashmi Amatya, Sangee Shrestha, Sony Rai, Junu Khanal Sharma, Ronisha Shrestha, Sandhya Silwal, Sharmila Devi Tamang, Sujana BK, Muna Bhadel and Sara Tunich Koinch. Along with the Nepali artists, Malaysia is represented by prominent figures—Angelina Bong, Yong Li Yun, Shen Ying Sim, Sheila Kho Ting Ling.
This exhibition is particularly significant as it aligns with the global celebration of International Women’s Day, marking its 11th edition at the gallery. Over the years, the gallery has consistently used this event to honour female artists and their contributions to the art world. In this edition, 51 artworks by 20 women artists are featured, highlighting their distinctive artistic voices and personal experiences.
Moreover, on March 8, the gallery organised one day inclusive art workshop at Taudaha Green House Resort. Likewise, it conducted another workshop of March 12 for elderly women in Patan.
Each artwork in Accelerate Action reflects the emotional depth of the artist’s journey. Whether exploring personal growth, social issues, or the complex emotions tied to identity, relationships, and culture, the pieces create an intimate space for reflection. This diversity is a testament to how art can convey the nuances of human emotions that resonate across cultures.
A glimpse into the artworks
Several pieces stand out for their vivid emotional expressions and thought-provoking narratives in the exhibition:
Ronisha Shrestha’s Tangled Innocence explores the chaotic and playful nature of curiosity and growth. The painting features a humanoid baby cat entangled in a ball of yarn, symbolising the messiness of emotions, exploration, and discovery. The tangled yarn becomes a metaphor for life’s early experiences, where innocence and curiosity often lead to confusion. Through this imagery, Shrestha invites the viewer to reflect on the vulnerability of youth and the intricate nature of emotional journeys.
Sofiya Maharjan’s artwork captures the simplicity and beauty of daily life. Inspired by the vendors who populate the streets of her neighborhood, Maharjan’s piece reflects her admiration for the patience and resilience of those who sell goods on the streets. Her work celebrates how mundane moments, when observed with attention, can become profound sources of inspiration. This piece resonates with the universality of finding beauty in the ordinary and the unnoticed.
Sony Rai’s Home delves into the emotional concept of “home,” which is more than just a physical place. Rai’s exploration focuses on the sensory experiences of home—the cool breeze, the warmth of winter nights, and the moonlit nights—that collectively form a sense of belonging and peace. Her work highlights how home represents comfort, connection, and emotional safety, and encourages viewers to reflect on their own personal experiences of “home.”
On the international front, Angelina Bong’s The Mangrove Tree uses the symbolism of the mangrove tree to explore themes of resilience and nurturing. The mangrove tree, which stands strong against the storm, becomes a metaphor for women who face various challenges and demands in life. Bong’s work encourages resilience in the face of adversity while highlighting the importance of nurturing and community. The mangrove’s roots reach deep into the soil, symbolising the deep emotional connections that sustain both individuals and communities.
Muna Bhadel’s artworks focuses on the emotional bond between two souls from different generations. Through her work, Bhadel reflects on the purity and strength of emotional connections that go beyond physical presence. Like nature, which connects all its creations in harmony, Bhadel suggests that our emotional bonds are enduring and unshakable, providing a sense of unity and support even in difficult times.
Jasmine Rajbhandari’s Ehee or Bel Bibah, Bara Tayegu, and Gufa Rakhne series of painting explore traditional Newa marriage rituals, examining the cultural practices that shape women’s identities. Rajbhandari delves into three significant rites—Ehee or Bel Bibah, Bara Tayegu, and Gufa Rakhne; marriage with a mortal man—each representing a stage in a Newa girl’s life.
These rituals, which range from a symbolic marriage to the wood apple to a ceremony where the girl marries the sun, challenge conventional understandings of widowhood and empower women by celebrating their identity and agency within the community. Rajbhandari’s work invites reflection on how rituals and traditions can shape and empower individuals, particularly women.
The Accelerate Action exhibition offers a powerful and diverse collection of works that celebrate the emotional depth and complexity of the human experience. By showcasing the voices of female artists from both Nepal and Malaysia, the exhibition emphasises how art can transcend cultural barriers, drawing connections between people through shared emotions and experiences. This collective exploration of emotions, rooted in both personal histories and cultural traditions, reminds us that no matter where we are from, we are united in the feelings that define our humanity.
As the exhibition continues to unfold at Classis Gallery, it provides a timely opportunity to reflect on how art can both express and evoke emotions, fostering a deeper understanding of ourselves and others in a world that is ever more connected yet increasingly diverse.
The exhibition continues till April 1.
