Mount Mercy’s Janalyn Hanson White Gallery will display the work of art students from Nepal during a special exhibit titled “Serendipity: Work by Art Students from Nepal.” The exhibit runs March 8 – 29, Monday-Friday, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. An opening reception celebrating the artwork will be held March 8, 6:00 – 7:00 in the gallery.
The exhibit dovetails with a special Global Issues Series lecture presented by Associate Professor of Art Kathryn Hagy on March 8 at 7:00 p.m. in Basile Hall’s Flaherty Community Room. Hagy received a 2010 Fulbright Award for research and teaching in Kathmandu, Nepal, and worked extensively with the Nepalese artists whose work will be showcased in the gallery.
The exhibit showcases eye-catching and colorful examples of printmaking. Participants include current and former students from three art institutions in Nepal: Tribhuvan University’s Lalit Kala Campus, Sirjana College of Fine Arts and Kathmandu University. The students worked together, shared art materials, learned from one another and increased their creativity from working in close proximity, sharing their ideas through group critiques and informal breaks. As Hagy recalls from the moments in the classroom, “The energy and excitement within the studio was infectious as students made discovery after discovery and shared these with their peers. In addition to the energetic atmosphere came a creative intensity as students were asked to critically analyze their playful creations in order to identify themes within their work. The identity of the artist, however defined by culture, religion, family, life experience, society and other factors, will always shine through.”
Students from Nepal whose artwork is showcased in the exhibit include: Bidhata K. C., Manju Syaula, Manoj Shakya Panju, Rabita Kisi, Rukumani Shrestha, Samjhana Rajbhandari, Sandeep Neupane, Sangeeta Ghimire, Sanjeet Maharjan, Santosh Sigdel, Sarita Mahrjan, Satya Shila Kashjoo, Sheelasha Rajbhandari, Suman Kaji Thapa, Sundar Lama, Tika Datta Dahal and Sushma Shakya.
Special thanks go to Nepal exhibit organizer Ashmina Ranjit for help with coordination, logistics and artistic support. Ranjit runs Lasanna, an organization founded in 2007, which brings people together to allow learning through exchange. Lasanaa provides opportunities for national and international artists to create individual expressions by exploring beyond traditional art forms
The Janalyn Hanson White Gallery is open:
Monday – Friday | 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Viewings outside of normal business hours can be arranged by checking out a gallery key from the University Center Information Desk, or by calling 319-363-8213.