Binod Pradhan
Binod’s landscapes are bold in their impact due to the energetic sweeps of colours. Eco-friendly Newar architecture and pagoda temples are recurrent images in the cityscape of ancient town. Brick-paved floors, dim-red walls, slanting roofs and maroon sky in the dusk create the aesthetic sense. As such landscapes are vanishing, his works suggest a sort of nostalgia. On the other hand, giving space to the sacred cultural monuments in his canvas, Binod aestheticizes them, and doing so he attempts to preserve and immortalize the gifts of antiquity.
Binod’s landscapes are bold in their impact due to the energetic sweeps of colours. Eco-friendly Newar architecture and pagoda temples are recurrent images in the cityscape of ancient town. Brick-paved floors, dim-red walls, slanting roofs and maroon sky in the dusk create the aesthetic sense. As such landscapes are vanishing, his works suggest a sort of nostalgia. On the other hand, giving space to the sacred cultural monuments in his canvas, Binod aestheticizes them, and doing so he attempts to preserve and immortalize the gifts of antiquity.
In some of his works, he paints beyond landscape, that is, his subconscious reaction to the immediate landscape supersedes his actual visual sensation. Occasionally, his paintings depict the moment of monsoon season, dark and speedy movement of winds. He recreates a bright magnificent dreamscape of that moment through flashlight colours.
His paintings represent individual figures who attempt to assimilate oneself with divinity through meditation. The artist uses the surrealist form to depict this theme. The surrounding is huddled with religious shrines both Hindu and Buddhist. The coexistence of stupas and temples in the same canvas suggests the religious harmony in Nepali society. The background is dissolving with the meditating figures in various gestures and postures. The outlines of background and foreground have been blurred because of the rhythmic colours, lines and flowing abstract images. The closed eyes and the introspective expression of the human figures suggest their meditative mood. The meditating figures seem as if they are pulling the entire external world within their consciousness. This is the depiction of the assimilation of the individual self and the external world.
Since the images of Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas seem to be moving toward the meditating figure, the compositions suggest the religious tolerance. The meditating figure finds the same essence in both religions. The images of stupas and temples, and the themes of meditation and religious harmony are also the contents of traditional paintings.The artist reformulates these contents using modern forms like surrealism and abstractionism. The compositions, at the same time, are connected to the Nepali tradition and the modern form creating inter-textual relationship.
Despite the selection of bright colours and juxtaposition of contrastive hues, the overall composition appears comfortable and aesthetic. To renew the viewer’s perception, the artist uses unusual and altered colours. The sudden division of the canvas vertically and sometimes horizontally startles the viewers. Perhaps it suggests the distance and lack of communication between the self and the world. But the artist reconnects them using rhythmic lines and colours indicating the possibility of communication.
Some of his works depict the distance in external appearance and inner reality. The human characters put the mask of pretension while something else is going on within themselves. The world recognizes the manifest aspect of the person whereas real life is invisible. Binod reveals the inner faces of serene and melancholic characters. Some calm and cool human faces resemble to that of the Buddha. On the other hand, the artist seems to suggest that the face exposes inner motives, emotions and attitudes of the entire character.
As a sensitive artist, Binod is affected by the dwindling environment and global warming. Being anxious due to such situation, as a response, he creates some eco-paintings which appeal to preserve the environment and ecosystem. He also experiments with the real things of the worlds by making the collage of the leaves on the canvas. Furthermore, he paints over and around the leaves. As a result, the surface of the painted leaf emerges as fine texture. He attempts to deconstruct the binary oppositions about art and reality, for he integrates real things in an art work.
Born 1973, Yangal Tole, Kathmandu, Nepal
Son of Sri Hari Bahadur Pradhan & Srimati Ganga Devi Pradhan
Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts,
Fine Arts Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal
Solo Exhibitions:
2005 : “The Solitude of colour” at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu, Nepal
2005 : “Artist from Nepal” at Seoul, South Korea
2007 : “Inner Faces” at The Art Shop, Kathmandu, Nepal
2008 : “The Collection Show” at Imago-Dei Café Gallery, Kathmandu, Nepal
2009 : “Sacred Spaces” at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu, Nepal
2012 : “Collision” at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu, Nepal
2014 : “Quest for the Temple City” at Siddhartha Art Gallery. Kathmandu, Nepal
2015 : “Mountain Mystique” at City Museum, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal
2020 : “Depth of Devotion” at Van Gogh Gallery, Dhokaima Café, Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur, Nepal
2022 : “Intangible of Peace & Nature” (A collection) at Unnati Art Village, Gairakot, Navalparashi, Nepal
2022 : “Sacred Realms” at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu, Nepal
Group Exhibitions:
1992 : T.U Day Art Exhibition, Fine Arts Campus
1992 : Human Happiness Art Exhibition, Srijana Art Gallery
1992 : Group Art Exhibition at Goethe Institute
1994 : Group 37-Art Exhibition, Nepal Art Council
1994 : Vision 51- Art Exhibition, Fine Arts Campus
1996 : 26th National Art Exhibition, NAFA
1997 : 27th National Art Exhibition, NAFA
1997 : Inter Club Art Competition, GMSAP
1998 : 28th National Art Exhibition, NAFA
1999 : RangalalBangdelSmriti Art Exhibition, Nepal Art Council
1999 : 29th National Art Exhibition, NAFA
1999 : Four Men Show at Siddhartha Art Gallery
2000 : 30th National Art Exhibition, NAFA
2000 : Painting on Poetic Expression, BhanchaGhar
2000 : Kasthamandap Group Show at Siddhartha Art Gallery
2001 : 31st National Art Exhibition, NAFA
2001 : Kasthamandap Group Show at J Art Gallery
2002 : Two Men Show, Park Art Gallery
2002 : “Children without Art” organized by Jasutara Art Foundation at NAFA
2002 : Four Men Show at Srijana Contemporary Art Gallery
2003 : Charikot Art Camp Exhibition at NAFA
2003 : Kasthamandap Group Show at Lazimpat Gallery Cafe
2004 : Kasthamandap Group Show at Gallery Moksh
2004 : Kasthamandap Group Show at Buddha Gallery
2005 : Anniversary Art Exhibition at Buddha Gallery
2006 : “Wearable Art Show” KiranBhawan& Garden of Dreams, Nepal
2006 : KhullaDhoka, Siddhartha Art Gallery
2006 : Loktantra, Exhibition at NAFA
2006 : Kasthamandap Group Show, The Art Shop, Durbar Marg
2006 : Kasthamandap Group Show, GTZ Office, Sanepa
2007 : “Sangaalo” Group Exhibition, Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal
2007 : “International Artist Day” Art Workshop ,Kasthamandap Art Studio,Lalitpur
2007 : “Amalgam” Exhibition organized by Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu
2008 : “Bagmati on Canvas” Group Exhibition by of Bagmati at NAFA
2008 : “World Festival 2008” Group Exhibition by World Arts Forum
2008 : Group Exhibition by Sutra, Nepal Art Council , Kathmandu
2009 : Sambahak “Brihta Nepali Kala Pradarshani-2065”, Butwal , Nepal
2009 : 15 thKasthamnadap Art Studio, Anniversary show, Siddhartha Art Gallery
2009 : International Women’s Day, Group Exhibition, Hotel de’l Annapurna, Kathmandu
2009 : “Creative Eyes” Group Exhibition, Tilganga Eye Hospital, Tilganga, Kathmandu
2010 : IACC, National Level Paintings Exhibition, Nepal Art Council, Kathmandu
2010 : Samrisharan, The Art Shop, Kathmandu
2010 : Grand an Art Exhibition, Organized by Rotary Club of Chandhagiri, Sirjana Contemporary Art Gallery, Kathmandu
2011 : National Art & Craft Exhibition, Competition by NAFA, SitaBhawan, Naxal, Kathmandu
2011 : “Shree Ganesh” Group Exhibiton by SCC, Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal, Kathmandu
2012 : …from portrait to self-portrait…. (The Nepal Album) Group Exhibition by KCAC, Patan Museum, Kathmandu
2012 : “Under the Bodhi Tree” Group Exhibition by WWF-Nepal at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu
2013 : “Autumn” Kasthamandap Art Group Show by Nepal art Council at Nepal Art Council, Kathmandu
2014 : “Rang Dune Pratisara” Painting on Poem at NAFA, Kathmandu.
2014 : Centenary Nepal’s Poet ShiddhiCharanShrestha, Paintings on Poem Exhibition by ShiddhiCharan Foundation at Nepal Art Council, Kathmandu
2014 : ‘Artists Unite, Call for Action in Support of Flood Relief’ A Collective Art Exhibition at Siddhartha Art Gallery. Baber Mahal, Kathmandu
2015 : National Art Exhibition at NAFA, Kathmandu
2016 : National Art Exhibition at Nepal Art Council, Kathmandu
2016 : International Workshop on Art for Nature, Art Symposium on Panchase, Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal
2016 : 1stInternational WatercolorExhibition, Nepal Art Council, Babarmahalby International Watercolor Society- Nepal Chapter
2016 : Second International Symposium Exhibition on Art for Nature, Art on Langtang, Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal
2017 : Himalayan Art Camp, International Group Exhibition, Pokhara Art Gallery, Mahendrapul, Pokhara
2017 : Himalayan Art Camp, International Group Exhibition, Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal, Kathmandu
2017 : Himalayan Art Festival, Group Exhibition, Nepal Art Council, Babar mahal, Kathmandu by E-Arts Nepal
2018 : National Art Exhibition at Nepal Art Council, Kathmandu
2018 : Himalayan Art Festival, Group Exhibition, Nepal Art Council, Babar mahal, Kathmandu by E-Arts Nepal
2019 : Amalgam Group exhibition, Siddartha Art gallery, Babar mahal, Kathmandu
2019 : Himalayan Art Festival, Group exhibition, Nepal Art Council, Babar mahal, Kathmandu by E-Arts Nepal
2019 : Two men Show, “Fading”, Tara Art Gallery, Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur, Nepal
2019 : Lumbini Art Exhibition, Lumbini, Nepal
2020 : Nepali Art in Lockdown-2020, online Exhibition, E-Arts Nepal, Nepal
2020 : Tangential Stress-2020, Nepal’s first 360 virtual contemporary art online exhibition by MONA, Kathmandu, Nepal
2020 : “The Intersection of Ten Thoughts – part I” Group online Art Exhibition of Ten Contemporary Artist of Nepal by Classic Gellery, Nepal
2020 : Online Art Gallery and Art Marketplace, Group online art exhibition by Nepalian Art
2020 : Bikalpa Store Launch Exhibition, Bikalpa Art Center by Bikalpa, Pulchowk, Nepal
2020 : Art Nepa online Exhibition by Art Nepa, Nepal
2020 : Open Artists Studios by Kasthamandap Artist Group, Nepal
2021 : Contemporary Art of Nepal, Group exhibition of Nepali Artists, Ekantakuna by Haste Haiste
2021 : “EKTA” Fund Raising Online Exhibition by Tulikaa Kala
2021 : Himalayan Art Exhibition, Group exhibition, Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal, Kathmandu by E-Arts Nepal
2021 : The Nude Art Show, Group exhibition, Gallery Mcube, Chakupat, Lalitpur by Gallery Mcube
2022 : Connected Creativity, Group exhibition, Classic Gallery, Chakupat, Lalitpur by Classic Gallery
2022 : Contemporary Art of Nepal, Group exhibition of Nepali Artists, Ekantakuna, Lalitpur
2022 : Himalayan Art Festival, Group exhibition, Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal, Kathmandu by E-Arts Nepal
Participated Group Art Exhibitions in abroad :
2002 : Art Exhibition organised by Camlin Art Foundation, Kolkota, India
2005 : Kasthamandap Group Show, Den Blank, Belgium
2005 : Nepal Art Show, Nogaya, Japan
2005 : Kasthamandap Group Show, Galerie de Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
2005 : “Reflection of Reality” Kasthamandap Group Show, India Habitat Center, New Delhi, India
2005-06 : Art Exhibition organised by Camlin Art Foundation, Kolkota, India
2006 : Kasthamandap Group Show, Chautara Gallery, Holland
2007 : Art Exhibition organised by Camlin Art Foundation, Patna, India
2007 : “Reflection of Reality” Kasthamandap Group Show, SomArts Bay Gallery, San Francisco, USA
2007 : Open Art Studio-2007, Palo Alto Studio, Palo Alto, California, USA
2007 : “Reflection of Reality” Kasthamandap Group Show, Gallerie 25, San Francisco, USA
2007 : “Peace of Mind” Exhibition with Sri Lankan Artists, Gandhara Gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka
2008 : “Nepal Art Show” Group Exhibition, Seoul, Korea
2008 : ” 3rd Nepali Contemporary Art Festival” Alpha Gallery, Seoul, South Korea
2008 : “PeinteresNepalais”, Den Blank, Belgium
2008 : Himalayas of Nepal, Alpha Gallery, Seoul &Honggang Gallery, Ulsan, South Korea
2008 : “Breaking Boundries” Exhibition with VAST Artists, Druk Hotel, Thimpu, Bhutan
2009 : Nepali Art Show, Holland
2009 : “Hanmony” Group Exhibition by Reflection Art Gallery, Indore, India
2009 : “Colours& Impressions” Group Show, SAARC Women’s Association, Radisson Hotel, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2010 : Fairfax Eco Fest Painting Exhibition, San Francisco, USA
2012 : Nepali Contemporary Art Show, L’Epicea Galleria, Briancon, France
2012 : Nepali Contemporary Art Show, Chautara Gallery, Almere, Netherlands
2012 : Nepali Contemporary Art Show, Berlin, German
2012 : Nepali Contemporary Art Show, E-Funktion, Cologne, German
2012 : Arts of Nepal, The Art Centre, Chicago, USA
2014 : Emerging Souls, International Art Exhibition, Mandala Fine Art Studio Gallery, Singapore
2015 : 3rd Tone International Miniature Art Exhibition 2015 Organized by Tone Art Society of Bangladesh
2016 : Art Mart International, Khajuraho – 2016 Organized by Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, India
2016 : “IN DER HAUT DER SCHLANGE” “In the skin of the snake” Marienkirche at Lippstadt, Germany.
2016 : SAFARNAMA “Diary of an Artist” International Group Exhibition, Asian Art Platform, Singapore
2016 : Solo International Art Camp, Exhibition, Taman Budaya Surakarta, Solo city, Central Java, Indonesia
2016 : Pop-Up Art 4 EenGoedeDoel, Soul Essentials, Brandersmolenstraat 23, 1333 BX Almere-Buiten, Flevoland, Netherlands
2017 : International Artswitch-2017, Jogja Gallery, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2017 : Shanghai International Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition and Workshop, Hongqiao Contemporary Art Gallery in Shanghai, China
2018 : 2nd Andaman International Art Workshop & Art Exhibition-2018, Andaman Art Museum, Andaman Culture Center Learning, Krabi Province, Thailand
2018 : 5th KMUTNB International Art & Design Workshop-2018, The Buffalo Resort, Amphawa, Thailand
2019 : 4th Hanoi Art Connecting – 2019, Exhibition at Hanoi Industrial Fine Arts University by Asia Art Link, Hanoi, Vietnam
2020 : Stay Hopeful International Art Online Exhibition, Thailand
2020 : Love Revolution International Art Online Exhibition by Novelty Art Gallery, India
2020 : Arte De Mason International Art Online Exhibition by Arte De Mason, France
2020 : The 40th ASROPA International Art Exhibition, Online South Korean exhibition by Prof.Mag.Dr. Clemens Beungkun SOU, South Korea
2021 : “CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF ART” Online Art Exhibition by Chitra Santhe, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath College of Fine Arts Bangalore, INDIA
2021 : A virtual exhibition of Nepali art, South Asian Studies Association’s 14th annual conference hosted by Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, USA
2021 : International Creative Collaboration for Tolerance and Peace Online Exhibition by Turkey
2021 : 7th Geoje International Art Festival by Haegeumgang Theme Museum, South Korea
Workshops:
1999 : Work Shop “SirjanaShibir” By LDGDCSKM
2000 : PrashantaSmriti workshop, NAFA
2001 : Workshop organized by Artist’s Society of Nepal
2002 : “Kala Karyashala” organized by Lalit Kala Sangam, Biratnagar
2002-03: “Kala Upaban” workshop & exhibition organized by NAFA
2003 : Charikot Art Camp organized by NAFA
2004 : Poetric Expressions at Godawari
2004 : Meditation Art workshop at OshoTapoban
2004 : Numafung Art workshop
2006 : KhullaDhoka Art workshop at Siddhartha Art Gallery
2006 : Loktantrik Workshop at Gonganbu
2006 : “Inspired Expression” Art workshop to the late artist RN Joshi tribute by Park Gallery
2006 : Arts and Treks, Annapurna Round Circuit
2006 : “Inspired The Garden of Dreams” Art workshop at The Garden of Dreams by Siddhartha Art Gallery
2007 : “ItihansakoBakiPristha” Art Workshop & Exhibition, SARBANAM, Narayangadh
2007 : “Peace of Mind” Art Workshop with Sri Lankan Artists, Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka
2007 : “International Artist Day” Art Workshop by Kasthamandap Art Studio
2008 : “Bagmati on Canvas” Art Workshop by Friends of Bagmati
2008 : “For Flood Victims” Art Workshop By Gurukul
2008 : “Breaking Boundaries” Exhibition with VAST Artists, Thimpu, Bhutan
2009 : “Creative Eyes” Art Workshop by Tilganga Eye Hospital
2010 : “Big Draw” Drawing Workshop by Kathmandu Contemporary Arts Centre, Nepal
2010 : “YOGDAN” An art Workshop, Exhibition & Fundraise by Fusion Studio, Kathmandu
2010 : “ThamelMahatsav” Painting Workshop & Exhibition, Mithila Yen gallery, Thamel, Kathmandu
2010 : Artistic happening – painting and poetry at Norwegian Ambassador’s Residency, Kathmandu
2011 : “Bagalima Kala Sanjha” Live Painting on the stage with Sukarma Band by L’ Art en Poche, Belgium
at Russian Cultural Center, Kathmandu
2011 : Live Painting on Stage with Rudra Band, Art workshop by Green Tara Trust & Green Tara Nepal
2012 : “Under the Bodhi Tree” Lumbini Art Workshop by WWF-Nepal
2014 : Painting on Drama, Nepal NachGhar, Jamal, Kathmandu
2015 : “Environment Day” Fund Rise Workshop at Centre Zoo, Jawalakhel, Kathmandu
2015 : Water Colour Workshop at Centre Zoo, Jawalakhel, Kathmandu
2015 : “ Eye Care For All” World Sight Day at Nepal Eye Hospital, Tripureshwor, Nepal
2016 : Art Mart International, Khajuraho – 2016 Organized by Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, India
2016 : International Workshop on Art for Nature, Art Symposium on Panchase, Pokhara by Relief Fund for
Wildlife Victims (RFWV)
2016 : Solo International Art Camp, Cetho Temple, Solo city, Indonesia
2016 : 2ndInternational Symposium on Art for Nature, Langtang National Park, Rasuwa, Nepal by Relief
Fund for Wildlife Victims (RFWV)
2017 : Himalayan Art Camp, International Camp, Pokhara Tourism Board, Fewa Taal, Pokhara, Nepal
2017 : Shanghai International Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition and Workshop, Shanghai Taojiawan
Leisure Farm Resort Hotel, 2018 Yongnan Road, Minhang district, Shanghai, China
2018 : 2nd Andaman International Art Workshop & Exhibition-2018, Andaman Art Museum, Andaman
Culture Center Learning, Krabi Province, Thailand
2018 : 5th KMUTNB International Art & Design Workshop-2018, The Buffalo Resort, Amphawa, Thailand
2018 : Missing Art Workshop, Mandala Theater, Anam nagar, Kathmandu
2019 : 4th Hanoi Art Connecting – 2019, Art Workshop & Exhibition at Hanoi Industrial Fine Arts University by Asia Art Link, Hanoi, Vietnam
2019 : 6th International Mountain Festival by Nepal Mountaineering Association, Nag Pokhari, Kathmandu
2019 : Visit Nepal-2020 Yeti Mascot on painting, “The Mysrical & Magical Yeti”, Nepal
National Awards:
1987 : 2nd Prize, Inter School Competition, Bal Mandir, Kathmandu
1992 : 1st Prize, Nepal Telecommunication Directory Cover Design Competition by NTC
1992 : Consulation Prize, Cartoon Competition, HASNE, Kathmandu
1993 : 1st Prize, Painting Competition, Lalit Kala Student Union
1997 : 2nd Prize, 27th National Art Exhibition, NAFA
1997 : 1st Prize, Ganesh Man Singh Adhyayan Pratisthan
2005 : Best Field Work, 2D Animation, Demo Reel-2005, Pentasys Technologies, Kathmandu
2012 : Gold Medal with Arniko Youth Award-2068, Ratriya Yuwa Sewa Kosh, Kathmandu, Nepal
International Award:
2006 : Camlin Art Foundation Award, Professional Artist Category, Kolkata, India
Private Collections :
Prime Minister’s Residence (Nepal)
Hotel de’l Annapurna (Nepal)
Her Highness Maharani Yasho Rajelaxmi of Jammu and Kashmir (India)
Sunrise Bank, Gairidhara, Kathmandu, Nepal
Ambassador of Australia to Nepal
Nepal Investment Bank, Kathmandu, Nepal
Hongqiao Contemporary Art Gallery, Shanghai, China
Andaman Art Museum, Krabi Province, Thailand
King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB), Bangkok, Thailand
Nepal, India, Kenya, USA, UK, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Pakistan, Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Canada, Belgium, UAE, Norway, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Germany, Egypt, Singapore, China.
Travels :
India, USA, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Thailand and Vietnam.
Co-Founder Members :
Kasthamandap Artist Group
E-.Arts Nepal
Members :
Young Artist’s Group
Nepal Association of Fine Arts, NAFA
Artist’s Society of Nepal
Prashanta Memorial Society
