A one-day exhibition-titled Prasad: An Urban Art Show-took place at Balmandir in Naxal on September 24. The exhibition, hosted by ArtLab, featured various murals and paintings by 22 local and international artists.

 ArtLab has been promoting street art in various parts of the country as a part of their Prasad Project for the last two years. The mural artists have travelled to six different cities in the country—Birjung, Pokhara,

Beni, Dharan, Tansen and Kathmandu—conducting various workshops and art exhibition

to promote street art in the country.

Speaking to the Post about the exhibit, artist Alin Shrestha said, “The exhibit today marks the end of ArtLab’s two-year-long program. I think the last two years has been great experience for us, as we, as artists, got to interact with people from all over the country, making murals and hosting workshops. In most of the places we went, people had no clue about street art, so it was a truly a new experience to them as well.” Shrestha’s art, We are Us, is also being featured in the event. The art piece with 100 individual paintings with various colours when put together resembles a circle signifying common human identity regardless of differences in colour, race or caste.

The exhibition also features paintings of Satya Mohan Joshi, Bhuyu Man Ligal, Ganesh Man Maharjan and other many renowned figures, along with paintings depicting the migrant workers. The organisers also mentioned that the aim of the workshops and the exhibitions was also to bring light that street art is not just something that is done for fun, but how it also be a source of income and a career for the artists.

Another artist at the exhibit Sonad Maharjan’s mural depicts an elephant with wings of a butterfly for ears. Speaking about the painting, Maharjan said, “This mural is really special to me because while painting it I came to a realisation that the reason for my existence is to give colour to the world. So, I wanted to create a big bright interesting mural full of happiness and vibrant energy.” He further added, “While the elephant in the painting show the power of human determination, the butterfly shows the free-spirited human soul. And together the symbolism signifies humanity’s glorious search for excellence and thirst for new experience.”

The one-day exhibit was supported by CKU and was held at premises of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts.