Artist Mann Gurung’s first solo exhibition—Power, Politics and War—was inaugurated by scholar Abhi Subedi, at Siddhartha Art Gallery in the Capital on Wednesday. The exhibition features 23 of Gurung’s pieces, created over the period of two years. 

Mann Gurung, who recently completed his MFA degree from Tribhuvan University, said that the current exhibition aims to shed light, as the title implies, on power, politics and the repercussions of war. “The mainstream portrayal of war and its repercussions, I feel, don’t paint the complete picture. So, I thought, I would represent the grief in my art and give a reality check to people that we need to help and make a difference,” Gurung said.

Gurung added, “I was amazed to receive compliments on my first exhibition. So far, six paintings have already been sold, which is also a huge motivation.”

Speaking about the exhibition, Sangeeta Thapa, director of Siddhartha Art Gallery said, “I came across Mann’s work when he was pursuing his graduate degree in Tribhuvan University. His paintings are really moving and a lot of people have appreciated the anti-violence statements his paintings carry.”

Mann Gurung’s Power, Politics and War will run at Siddhartha Art Gallery until Nov 25.