Reinterpretation of Traditional Motifs in Contemporary Nepali Paintings

Abstract

Contemporary Nepali paintings reread and reinterpret the traditional art works like manuscript illuminations,paubha,patachitra, wall paintings and sculptures. The artists have reformulated and reintegrated the images, icons and symbols of these early works in the paintings of our time. The structure ofmandalaand religious subject matters are also recycled. While doing so, the contemporary Nepali artists exploit the western techniques like impressionist, expressionist, cubist, abstractionist, surrealistand abstract expressionist as tools. As the artists share native tradition as well as plural western art forms, the resultant art works appear to be open-ended. Their significances are not certain and fixed but contingent, multiple and provisional. They speak of cultural self and cultural other. The art works are interconnected not only to its tradition but also western arts. The artists appropriate both western canons and native tradition to express their feelings and emotions in response to the presentsocio-political context.