Inspired by festivals and Newa Buddhist heritage, Samjhana Rajbhandari transforms nostalgia into woodcut prints at Gallery 108. Photos: Courtesy of Gallery 108
Gallery 108 presents ‘Impressions of Bhagwan Bahal’, a solo exhibition of woodcut prints by Samjhana Rajbhandari. She is a visual artist from Kathmandu who mainly works in painting and printmaking.
The exhibit’s central theme draws inspiration from the artist’s rituals, deities, and sense of belonging.
“‘Impressions of Bhagwan Bahal’ is an exhibition engendered from nostalgic childhood memories, spent partaking in the rituals and festivals, as well as playing with my cousins in the Bhagwan Bahal monastic complex. I recall the big statue of Sigha Santha Bahu, who enlarged the construction of the complex to what we know of it today and the beautiful oil lamps lit during Sithi Nakha around the premises of the monastery,” reads the artist statement for the exhibition.
For Rajbhandari, her biggest sources of inspiration are images of Hindu gods and goddesses, including Saraswati, Ganesh, and Durga.
Growing up around Bhagwan Bahal, a Newa Buddhist monastery considered sacred for many generations, the artist’s work revolves around the remnants of its memory. Among the 19 Bahals in Kathmandu, it is one that has been run by the Pradhans for several generations.
Woodcut printmaking is one of the most laborious art forms, as the image is actually carved into wood. The exhibition’s theme demands that level of devotion to art.
According to the gallery’s statement, the art is then showcased as postal stamps, a symbol of respect for the Bhagwan Bahal and a testament to our cultural heritage. __________
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