The Kalā Salon is hosting ‘Untold Narratives’, an art exhibition by the Sri Lankan artist Manoranjana Herath. This is his second exhibition in Nepal. In it, he explores different facial emotions that are often hidden.

Herath explains that a face not only identifies a person but also reveals the story of their background and environment. It represents the untold narrative of an individual, a group, or a cultural and societal context. A sculptor, researcher, writer, and artist, Herath is deeply fascinated by the diversity of faces—both human and animal.

He received his PhD in Imaginary Animal Figures in Religious Art and is a lecturer in the Department of Sculpture at the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He aims to capture facial characteristics and strives to express the emotions of those isolated yet hopeful individuals through his paintings.

He has painted faces in various styles since 2017, focusing on capturing different feelings and emotions. He says, “As an artist, I draw inspiration from people’s ideas, feelings, expressions, and emotions, which I try to express through colours, shapes, and forms.”

His paintings follow the Neo-Cubist style, characterised by geometric shapes and bold colours. They feature seemingly random facial elements, creating a disoriented appearance. However, the pieces form a complete face when viewed as a whole. Being abstract, the meaning of his paintings is open to interpretation, allowing each viewer to find their explanation.

According to the curator and founding director of The Kalā Salon, Sophia L Pandé, the expressions these paintings evoke are more important than their meaning as they vary per person. She says, “Even if you don't fully understand the painting, try to feel the emotions it brings out. That’s the essence of these works. Art can be very conceptual, but what matters most is connecting with it."

Among the total 28 paintings exhibited, few paintings had colour splashes on them, which were intentional. Those colour splashes are considered a mistake in contemporary art, while in contemporary abstract art, it is one of the painting styles that artists often use.

Herath shares, “I don’t feel fulfilled focusing on just one type of work, so I aim to bring my ideas to life in various forms. Since sculptures are difficult to transport, I turned to painting, which made this exhibition in Kathmandu possible.” He started painting decades ago and explains, "As an artist, I strive to express my ideas through diverse mediums."

When asked about the inspiration for the ‘Untold Narratives’ theme, he explains, “When we meet people, they often appear happy and smiling, but that’s not always the full story. A closer look reveals hidden tragedies and emotions behind those faces.”

The paintings feature bright and bold colours, reflecting Herath's love for vibrant hues. He believes each colour symbolises specific emotions and feelings, making them fascinating tools for expression due to their symbolic meanings.

From the start of his career, he has incorporated geometric shapes into his sculptures, blending them with his artistic vision. As a sculptor, he enjoys exploring shapes and shadows in his creations. He adopted the Neo-Cubist style early in his career and later brought it into his paintings. His art often features textures, lines, and shapes, which he uses to convey his ideas and emotions.

The paintings, collectively titled ‘Untold Narratives,’ do not have individual names. Explaining this choice, Herath said, “I prefer not to separate the paintings with different names since they all convey the same idea, even though they are expressed through various colours and shapes.”

Some displayed works were completed last year, while others are more recent. Herath hopes to attract more visitors to his exhibition and is planning to organise more showcases in Nepal.

As I observed the paintings on display, each evoked a distinct emotion, likely due to the vibrant colours, intricate textures, and dynamic shapes the artist employed. The faces in the artworks had an alien-like quality, featuring multiple eyes, noses, and mouths. Each canvas was brimming with rich details, patterns, and colours, making every piece both unique and captivating.

The exhibition is ongoing at The Kalā Salon in the Chhaya Centre, established in 2024. It is a non-profit space and foundation that supports artists across disciplines. All the proceeds from the sales go toward supporting artists and artisans through programs like artist residency. The foundation exhibits art from artists and has a private collection of over 2500 art pieces. According to Pandé, one of the main purposes of this exhibition was to allow Nepali artists to see the work of senior South-Asian artists.

The ‘Untold Narratives’ is a captivating journey into the emotions and untold stories hidden within the human face. Through his Neo-Cubist style, Herath uses vibrant colours, geometric shapes, and abstract compositions to evoke feelings and provoke introspection in the viewer. The interplay of disoriented facial features and bold splashes of colour transforms each canvas into a unique emotional narrative, challenging traditional perceptions of art and identity. Herath’s exploration of human emotions through abstract forms is thought-provoking and deeply moving, making this exhibition a must-visit for art enthusiasts and those seeking to experience the profound power of visual storytelling.

Untold Narratives

Where: The Kalā Salon, Chhaya Center Mall, Thamel

Until January 4, 2025

Time: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm

Entry: Free