Eminent Chinese thangka painter Chang Si Lin’s solo exhibition was inaugurated amidst a ceremony held at the Nepal Art Council in Babrmahal in the Capital on Tuesday. The exhibit was inaugurated by eminent historian and cultural expert Satyamohan Joshi.

Speaking during the  opening, Joshi said, “The cultural relationship between Nepal and China started way back, from the time of Araniko and Bhrikuti and is as strong today as it was then. Chronicles of Araniko is found even in the historical text in China. Just as that, we also do respect the incoming artists from China.”

The Chinese artist Lin expressed his joy of “getting to visit Nepal, to visit Lord Buddha’s birthplace Lumbini.” I have a hope that I will stay in Nepal for long, create art and showcase them though exhibitions,” said the artist.

The event also saw personalities such as Sagar Shumsher Rana, the vice-president of Nepal Art Council; Tanka Karki and Shankar Nath Rijal, who are both the ex-ambassadors to China; and cultural secretary from the Chinese Embassy Chang Ping; who also distributed an introduction manual about artist Lin.

Lin is known as one of the finest artist who works in the Thanka form in China.

“The relationship between Nepal and China can be strengthened if we can exchange arts and hold exhibitions in both the countries,” said artist Shanta Kumar Rai.  

The exhibition ran for only a day on Tuesday.