Lalitpur’s Gallery Mcube is hosting solo exhibitions of two Japanese artists, Izumi Tanabae and Hideo Iida. The exhibitions are jointly titled ‘Crossing Nepal-Japan’, and the gallery hopes that it will help introduce Japanese arts and techniques to the Nepali art world.

“Both of the artists are abstract expressionists. And because we, as an alternate space, have always been interested in showcasing unconventional forms of arts, this is an opportunity for us to introduce Japanese artworks here in Nepal,” says Manish Lal Shrestha, curator of Gallery Mcube.

Izumi Tanabae’s solo exhibition is named ‘Hanabi’, meaning fireworks, and it is exhibited on the first floor of Gallery Mcube. The exhibition features 17 paintings, exploring Tanabae’s memories of her village, greenery, and womanhood. Tanabae specialises in painting and printmaking, and the exhibition display both styles of art.

On the ground floor of the gallery lies the artworks of Hideo Iida. His solo exhibition, ‘In My Art World’, is a collection of 19 paintings, among which 12 of them explore Nepal’s images, temples, and landscapes. Iida, who has visited Nepal thrice, has included paintings titled ‘Fewa Lake’, ‘Machhapuchhre’, and ‘View from Swayumbhunath’. The majority of Ida’s artworks are made using the silver leaf technique, an ancient Japanese technique.

Unlike Tanabae, Iida has already exhibited his works twice in Nepal. Both artists explore their relationship with space, and the exhibition aims to broaden people’s understanding of art.

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What: ‘Hanabi’ and ‘In My Art World’

When: November 4 to 13, 11am to 8pm

Where: Gallery Mcube, Chakupat

Contact: 9851170110