The annual Grade XII art exhibition, THE BUDS-2025, organised by Sirjana School of Fine Arts, opened on June 17 at the Nepal Art Council, Baber Mahal, Kathmandu.

Krishna Manandhar, one of Nepal’s leading modern painters, attended the opening as the chief guest. Devendra Pandey, the applied arts teacher at Sirjana School of Fine Arts, noted that while painting is still widely practised, manual work in collage, poster design, and layout has become rare. “Almost everything is digital these days. These works are strong examples even for Bachelor-level students,’’ he said.

The exhibition features a variety of works, including pen-and-ink illustrations of human figures, animals, birds, and well-known personalities from music and film. Also displayed are paper collages, poster colour compositions, layout designs, and tourism-themed posters bearing slogans such as ‘Visit Patan 2025’ and ‘Visit Janakpur’.

Clay work and poster designs addressing social issues—such as ‘Stop Child Marriage’ and ‘Free Women from Control’—are featured alongside pieces in watercolour, mixed media, and cubist works inspired by artist Pablo Picasso.

THE BUDS-2025

Where: Nepal Art Council, Baber Mahal, Kathmandu

When: Till 21 June

Time: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Entry: Free