Veteran abstract artist, poet and lyricist Uttam Nepali passed away today. He was 85.

According to Online Khabar, the artist died while undergoing treatment at the Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Centre, Kathmandu, where he was admitted a few days ago for cardiovascular problems.

The country’s art community has been grieving in his loss as Nepali was one of the pillars of the Nepali modern art.

Born in 1937 in Kathmandu, Nepali was one of the first artists to introduce abstract art and experimentations in paintings in Nepal. He studied arts from the Government College of Arts and Crafts in Lucknow. Nepali regularly merged poetry and paintings in his work and organised several art exhibitions back in the 70s, paving the way for modern art in Nepal.

He was a lifetime member of Nepal Academy since 2000.

Nepali drew inspiration for art from religion and considered the source to be his strength and hope. Throughout his journey as an artist, Nepali had continued to experiment and evolve with his work.

He was also one of the first people to institutionalise art education and was someone who was always ready to provide guidance to the art community.

“Uttam Nepali’s contribution to the Nepali art community is indelible. He provided unparalleled learnings for the artist community and played an instrumental role in developing the country’s art culture,” said Kiran Manandhar, one of Nepal’s preeminent artists who has also exhibited works alongside Nepali in exhibitions.

“Nepali is now resting. But he has not left us. His works, his learnings and his memories will live on with the Nepali art community,” said Manandhar. “And now it is the responsibility of the new generation of artists to pick up where Nepali left off.”