Kiran Manandhar
Kiran Manandhar recycles some of the contents and forms of early Nepali arts in his abstract, abstract expressionist, collage and performance art. Influenced by the mandalaic structure of paubha paintings, he explores the theme of concentration, meditation and enlightenment through his mandalas which are subjective, plural and open-ended.
Kiran Manandhar recycles some of the contents and forms of early Nepali arts in his abstract, abstract expressionist, collage and performance art. Influenced by the mandalaic structure of paubha paintings, he explores the theme of concentration, meditation and enlightenment through his mandalas which are subjective, plural and open-ended.
He used the mandalic form that he executed on Nepali rural hand-made paper to create this effect. To him Mandala was/is everything-solidity, surface, sky, earth, confluence of mind and universe, a consciousness symbolized by the vulva and the movement of energy to and from it. They have psychological dimension. They create an atmosphere of the mind through brush strokes, distribution of colours not in tonal merger but in terms of the distribution of each over the entire surface, a technique used by Kiran Manandhar in nearly all of his paintings to create linear effects of both the visible and invisible lines. The total effect is a sense of movement round a certain anthropomorphic image.
However, his mandalas are not the objective representations of the mythical mandalas but expressed through abstract shapes and colours. He transcends the “cognitive side” of the image and tries to “figure out its inner beauty”.
He has been influenced by Emil Nolde’s expressionist forms, Willem de Kooning’s abstract expressionism. However, his works do not depict the degeneration, disillusionment and angst like that of de Kooning and Nolde’s paintings but suggest peace and create meditative mood in the viewers.
Some of his works have inter-textual and inter-art relationship. He presents visual and verbal texts simultaneously in the same canvas. Sometimes he makes the collage of poems by other poets on his canvas and creates visual images around and over them using colours. He also creates pictures simultaneously with the recitation of poems and performance of plays. He creates texts in his paintings and reads colours and brush strokes in poetry.
Having flexible attitude towards the medium, he gives performative power to his paintings. He commences his painting process on the curtain like canvas on the stage simultaneously with the beginning of the performance of the plays or poems, continues as long as the drama keeps unfolding and captures his impressions of the play or the poem in visual form. Performance art, with the participation of poets, painters, musicians and actors, inter-penetrates the boundaries among various art forms and creates a sort of mosaic.
Although he has been influenced by abstractionism, abstract-expressionism, collage and performance art of the west, his works create a “synthesis of Eastern and Western art traditions”. What makes him distinct from the rest is the way his art has absorbed a number of a “foreign elements” in terms of stylistic tendencies without affecting his individual mode of expression, which while corresponding to the international character of modern art, derives its inspiration whenever possible, from native sources.
Kiran not only exploits the forms and contents of mandala, found in Nepali paubha paintings but also Nepali medium like hand made rice paper. In his works, the “primitive Himalayan paper enters into a dialogue with the western media.”
Born: 1957 Kathmandu, Nepal
Father: Purna Man Manandhar
Mother: Bishnu Devi Manandhar
Academic Background:
Master in Fine Arts (M. F. A.) Painting, 1981 from Faculty of Visual Arts, Banaras Hindu University (B. H. U.), Varanasi, India.
First Chancellor : Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (2010-2014)
Fellowship : Cite’ International des Arts, 1998 Paris, France.
Life member : Bombay Art Society, Mumbai, India.
Member : President of Democratic Movement of Fine Art, Nepal- 2006
: Association des Arts Plastiques, Draveil, Essonne, France.
: Lion’s Club of Pashupatinath, Kathmandu.
: Founder Member of Junkiree Artists Group.
: Founder of Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
: Member of Young Artists Group.
: Ex- Member of Academic Assembly, Nepal Academy, Kathmandu.
: Ex-President of Artists’ Society of Nepal.
: Visiting Professor of Sirjana College of Fine Arts.(2001-2003)
: Member of working committee of Nepal Art Academy-2006 .
: Member of working committee of National emblem ‘ Nishana Chaap’.
Awards:
2019: Buddhi- Resham Smriti Srastra Samman by Jalrika Sahitya Pratisthan
2019: Araniko Lalitkala Samman by Shree Nunkarna Das Ganga Devi Chaudhary Sahitya Kala Mandir
2013: Sukirtimaya Rastradeep, by President of Nepal.
2006: Parijat Kala Puraskar
2001: Birendra Aishworya Sewa Padak, by His Majesty the King of Nepal.
2000: Best Awards, Association Des Arts Plastique Draveil, France.
1999: Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, by His Majesty the King of Nepal.
1997: Medal in Silver Jubilee of His Majesty the King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, Nepal.
1996: Rastriya Pratibha Puraskar, HMG, Nepal.
1991: Best prize 30th Salon de climart, Paris, France.
1991: Honorable Mention, Asian Art Exhibition, Dhaka.
1986: Best prize in National Art Exhibition Association of Fine Art (NAFA), Nepal.
1985: Second and Diploma Award in Ninth Grand International Art Competition, Deauville, France.
1984: First in Poster Competition organized by Ministry of Tourism, Nepal.
1984: Medal from Manandhar Association, Kathmandu 1974: Merit Honor in B.F.A., Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi, India.
1984: Award in Hamari Kala Exhibition, Varanasi.
1984: Award in National Art Exhibition, Kathmandu.
1983: Best Prize in National Art Exhibition in Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA),
Kathmandu, Nepal.
1983: Best Award in the Fresque Mural in Maison de la Cultural Bezier, France.
1981: Merit Honor in M.F.A., Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
1980: First Prize in Annual Art Exhibition, B.H.U., Varanasi.
1978: Certificate of Appreciation from B.H.U., Varanasi
1975: Certificate of Appreciation from B.H.U., Varanasi.
Major Workshops (Events):
2019: Live Painting Demonstration at Nepal Academy, Organized by Kathmandu University, School of Arts
Department of Art and Design on the occassion of KU Meet and Greet Program.
2013: Two day art camp at Dhamphus, Pokhara, organized by Nepal Academy of Fine Arts and J.K Art
Museum
2012: Participated in the workshop organized by Bhaktapur Udyog Banijya Sangh, Bhaktapur.
2012: The workshop organized by CWIN, Patan.
2012: Friendship across Himalaya: China-Nepal, Beijing, China.
2010: Participated in the workshop ‘Sadvab’, organized by Nepal Academy of fine arts, Kathmandu.
2010: Participated in the workshop ‘Peace’ organized by Royal Norwegian Embassy, Bhansipati, Nepal.
2007: Participated in the workshop organized by Gurukul in Nagarkot..
2007: Participated in the workshop organized by Friends of Bagmati, Kathmandu.
2006: Workshop at kiran’s atelier with Fine Art Students.
2006: Workshop for Democratic Movement at Gurukul Kathmandu.
2006: Workshop for Democratic Movement at Gongabun, Katmandu.
2006: Participated in the workshop organized by Civil Society of Nepal at Maitighar, Mandala.
2003: Participated in the workshop organized by Sirjana College of Fine Arts, Kamaladi.
2003: Participated in the workshop in Charikot, Dolakha.
2002: Participated in the workshop organized by Royal Nepal Academy, NAFA.
2001: Participated in workshop jointly organized by ASON and Pokhreli Yuva Sanskritik Parivaar in
Pokhara.
2001: Participated in the workshop organized by ASON in Kathmandu.
2001: Performance at the NAFA Art Gallery with Dr. Abhi Subedi.
2000: Tibet, P. R. China.
2000: Kunj Art Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan.
2000: Workshop organized by the Royal Nepal Academy in Dhulikhel, Nepal.
1999: Performance at the holy river Bagmati with Dr. Abhi Subedi and poet Manjul.
1998: Kunj Art Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan.
1997: Workshop at Faculty of Visual Arts, B.H.U., Varanasi.
1997: Workshop at Wurzburg, Germany.
1997: Performance in ‘Kathmandu Odyssey’ with Dr. Abhi Subedi.
1996: Kunj Art Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan.
1995: Lahti, Finland.
1994: Imperia, Italy.
1994: Fukuoka Art Museum, Fukuoka, Japan.
1994: Sonja Art Gallery, Lindau, Germany.
1989: SAARC Painters Camp, Shimla, India.
1989: A painting of size 11×15 ft. on canvas created in and for the Soyabean Industry, Kathmandu.
1986: Demonstration of Painting, Kathmandu.
1985: International Fair Lille, France.
1984: Workshop organized by Young Artist Group, Kathmandu.
1984: Painting demonstration in Lille, France.
1984: Demonstration and Teaching in St. Denis Ecole Maternelle, Leslilas, Paris.
1983: Fresque Mural in Maison de la Cultural Bezier, France.
1977: Fresque Mural at the Royal Palace of H.E. The King of Varanasi, India.
Major Solo Exhibitions:
1972: Park Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
1973: Nepal Bharat Sanskritik Kendra (NBSK), Kathmandu.
1975: Faculty of Visual Art Gallery, BHU, Varanasi.
1975: Nepal Bharat Sanskritik Kendra (NBSK), Kathmandu.
1976: International House, BHU, Varanasi.
1977: Painting and Lithograph, NBSK, Kathmandu.
1980: Kiran’s Eye-80, NBSK, Kathmandu.
1981: Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
1981: Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu
1982: Mrs. Ahuva Etkin’s residence, Kathmandu.
1982: Hotel Yak & Yeti, Kathmandu.
1982: Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
1983: Le Diable Vert Gallery, Paris.
1983: Gallery Esplan de la Defense, Paris.
1983: Foyer International d’accueil de Paris, Paris.
1983: Dr. A.S. David’s residence, Kathmandu.
1983: Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
1984: Dr. A.S. David’s residence, Kathmandu.
: Tara’s residence, Sebastopol, Paris.
: Arts de Asie, Gallery Esplan de la Defense, Paris.
: Ministry of National Education of France, Paris.
: Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
1985: Le Atelier de la Dance, Paris.
: Gallery la Diable Vert, Paris.
: Gallery Espace –18, Montmartre, Paris.
: International Fair, Lille, France.
: Gallery SHAPO, Paris.
: Bue. Expo in France, Varsielle, France.
: Gallery Domino, Paris.
: Maison de Commerce International Gallery, Statsbourg, France.
: Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
: Painting Exhibition with the co-ordination of Music of Bataju, Paris.
: Gallery Palpasa, Katmandu.
: Gallery Palpasa, Katmandu.
1986: Kurseong Yatra-86, India.
: Darjeeling Yatra-86, India.
: Kalingpong Yatra-86, India.
: Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
: Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
1987: Chambre, France.
: Bourgogne, France.
: Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Foyer International d’Accueil de Paris, France.
: Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
: Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
1988: La Caisse d’eparagne de Niort Gallery, Niort, France.
: Deutsch-Indische Gesellschaft, Sttutgart, Germany.
: Taj Art Gallery, Mumbai, India.
: NBSK, Kathmandu.
: Christmas Exhibition, Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
: Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
: Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
1989: Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Gallery Palpasa, organized by Tourism Journalists’ Association, Kathmandu.
: PARIS, France.
: NBSK, Kathmandu.
1990: Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Taj Art Gallery, Mumbai, India.
: Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi, India.
: Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
1991: Novelty in Orientation-1, Goethe Institute, Kathmandu.
: Novelty in Orientation-2, Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
: Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Bue. Expo in France, Varsielle, France.
: Gallery SHAPO, Paris.
1992: Dr. Renate’s residence, Dortmund, Germany.
: Exhibition of Paintings at the Sirjana Contemporary art Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Galerie Seguier, Paris, France.
1993: Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, Kathmandu.
: Sirjana Contemporary Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Sirjana Contemporary Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Painting Exhibition, ‘Mandalas’ at the Sirjana Contemporary Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
1993/94: Exhibition of Paintings at Gallery Palpasa, Kathmandu.
1994: La Gallery Madras, India.
: 4th Asian Art Show and workshop at Fukuoka Art Museum, Fukuoka, Japan.
: Sirjana Contemporary Art Gallery, Kathamndu.
: Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai.
: Sonja Art Gallery, Lindau, Germany.
: Painting Exhibition at NAFA Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
1995: The 4th Asian Art Show, Tokyo, Japan.
: Renate/Heiner House, Dortmund, Germany.
: Traditional Art Museum, Lahti, Finland.
: Sirjana Contemporary Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
1996: Kunj Art Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan.
: Volokurakeskus Nvkyaika, Temper, Finland.
: Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA), Kathmandu.
: Painting Exhibition at the CSI Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Sonja House, Lahti, Finland.
1997: International Art Exhibition, Kathmandu.
: ABC Art Gallery, Varanasi, India.
: Tara’s residence, Draveil, France.
: Galerie Kunstuck, Wurzburg, Germany.
: Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA), Kathmandu.
: Renate/Heiner House, Dortmund, Germany.
: Exhibition of Paintings at Sonja House, Lahti, Finland.
: Painting Exhibition at Chateau de Villiers, Draveil, Essonne, France.
: Ruth House, Wasserberg, Germany.
1998: Grand Hall du Theatre Donald Cardwel, Draveil, France.
: CSI Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Painting Exhibition in Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA), Kathmandu.
Inaugurated by Her Majesty Queen Aishworya.
: Art Essonne Biennale, Draveil, France.
: Kunst im Schroder- Haus, Wurzburg, Germany.
: 3eme Salon d’Art Contemporain de Chelles, Paris, France.
: Kunj Art Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan.
1998/98: Cite International des Arts, Paris, France.
: Tara’s residence, Draveil, France.
1999: The Alliance Francaise of Kathmandu, Nepal.
: Exhibition of Paintings in Wurzburg, Germany.
: Tara’s residence, Draveil, France.
: Painting Exhibition at Chateau de Villiers, Draveil, Essonne, France.
2000: Kunj Art Gallery, Karachi, Pakistan.
: The Alliance Francaise of Kathmandu, Nepal.
: Exhibition of Paintings, ‘Art for the Millennium’, NAFA Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Exhibition of Paintings at Palais du Roi de Rome, Rambouillet, France.
: Painting Exhibition organized by Mizzi GROGNO, Paris.
: Painting Exhibition in the P.R. of China, Tibet.
: Painting Exhibition at NAFA Art Gallery.
2001: Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA), Kathmandu.
: Exhibition of Paintings at the Everest Art Gallery, Thamel, Kathmandu.
: India International Center, New Delhi.
: Exhibition of Paintings in Copenhagen, Denmark.
: Painting Exhibition organized by Dr. Contero, Paris.
: Dr. Renate’s residence, Dortmund, Germany.
2002: Sirjana Contemporary Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA), Kathmandu.
: Galerie Sonja, Lindau, Germany.
2003: Galerie Café Culture, Draveil, France.
: Painting Exhibition at NAFA Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Painting Exhibition at Gallery nine
: Painting Exhbition at Donald Cardewell, Daraveil, France.
2004: Bonn (Germany)
: Dr. Smith’s House, Bonn, Germany.
2005: Salon de Coiffeur, Coiffirst, St. Germain, Paris.
: Painting Exhibition at Gallery Nine, Kathmandu.
: Painting Exhibition at Buddha Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Painting Exhibition at Ruth’s House, Lindau, Germany.
2006: Exhibition of paintings in gallery Espace 13 at Paris-Orgeval, France.
: Painting Exhibition in Sonja House, Lindau, Germany.
: Painting Exhibition in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
: Salon Des Artistes, Maire de Neuilly-Sur-Seine, Paris.
2007: Exhibition in Paris, France.
: Art Exhibition in Wurzburg, Germany.
2015: “Shakti” , Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu, Nepal.
2019: “Aatma”, Aageno The Hestia, Lalitpur, Nepal.
2020: “Matina”, G G Machaan, Pulchowk, Lalitpur.
Major Group Exhibitions:
1971: National Art Exhibition, NAFA, Kathmandu.
1974: Painting Exhibition, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkota, India.
: Lalitkala Academy, Lucknow, India.
1976: Painting Exhibition of Junkiree Group in Varanasi, India.
1978: NBSK, Kathmandu.
: Painting Exhibition of Junkiree Group at The Royal Nepal Academy, Kathmandu.
1979: Art Exhibition in USSR.
1980: Trinalaya, New Delhi, India.
: Asian Art Exhibition, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
: South East Asian Exhibition, Modern Art Gallery, India.
: Art Exhibition at the Birla Academy, Kolkota, India.
: Exhibition of Prints, Oxford, England.
: National Art Exhibition, NAFA, Kathmandu.
: Painting Exhibition of Junkiree Group at NBSK, Kathmandu.
1981: Painting Exhibition at the Gallery Palpasa (Junkiree), Kathmandu.
1984: Sacresart Salon, Paris, France.
: Salon d’independent, Paris.
: International Mail Art Exhibition, New York, USA.
1985: Asian Art Exhibition, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
: Menuka Gallery, Australia.
: Ninth Grand International Art Competition, Deauville, France.
: Fukuoka Art Exhibition, Japan.
: Art Exhibition Biennale, France.
1986: Mail Art Exhibition, Berlin.
: Mail Art Exhibition, Duseldorf, Germany.
: Autumn Whispers-86, Kathmandu.
: Seoul Contemporary Art Exhibition, S. Korea.
1988: 2nd Festival Scolaire de l’encharge Cultural, France.
1989: Adi Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Artistes Cotemporain, Commissaires – Priseurs Associes, Paris.
: SAARC Painters Camp-Exhibition in New Delhi and Shimla, India.
1990: Bombay Art Society, 98th Annual Art Exhibition, India.
1991: Quando Lo Stato E Donna, Senigallia, Italy.
: Asian Art Exhibition, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
: 30th Salon de Climart, Paris.
: Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
: Sirjana Contemporary Art Gallery organized by ASON, Kathmandu.
1992: Bombay Art Society, 100th Annual Art Exhibition, India.
1997: Participation in the International Art Exhibition, Kathmandu.
1998: Atelier 12, CSI Gallery, Kathmandu.
1998: Biennale Art Essonne, 6eme Croisiere de l’Art Contemporain, La Porte, Evry, France.
1999: Exhibition in the Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal, Kathmandu.
1999: Exhibition of Paintings in the Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
2000: Joint Exhibition of Paintings with Artist Uttam Nepali in NAFA.
2000: Exhibition of Paintings in P.R. of China, Tibet.
2001: Joint Exhibition of Paintings with son Artist Sagar Manandhar in NAFA.
2001: Nepali Contemporary Art Exhibition in Korea.
2003: Art Exhibition in many parts of India.
2003: Art Exhibition in Siddhartha Art Gallery.
2004: Art Exhibition organized by NAFA
2005: Art Exhibition in Draveil, France
2005: Art Exhibition in Buddha Art Gallery
2005: Art Exhibition in Shanghai, China.
2005: Art Exhibition of Lubhoo Art Workshop in Gallery Nine.
2006: Art Exhibitions in Nepal, France and Germany.
2007: Art Exhbitions in France and Germany.
2008: Art Exhibition organized by Gurukul, Kathmandu.
2009: “A Mystical Odyssey” Art Exhibition organized by The Gaekward Art Foundation, Mumbai.
2010: “A Chronicle of Power” Art Exhibition organized by The Gaekward Art Foundation, Mumbai.
2012: Friendship across Himalaya: China-Nepal, Beijing, China.
2013: Chanting Icons, Gallery One, Gurgaon, India
2013: The contemporary Paintings of Nepal, Espace Virgine, 86 bis avenue Aleide Gabaret, France
2013: Miteri Ko lagi KalaYatra, Araniko Gallery, Nepal Academy of Fine Arts.
2015: Varanasi Collection, Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu.
2015: Internation Group Exhibition at Nepal Art Council.
2016 “ 23 eme Salon International Arts & Peinture De Bourges, France.
2016 “Solidarity”, Alliance Francaise, Kathmandu, Nepal.
2019: France – Nepal Painting Exhibiton, Alliance Francaise, Nepal.
2019: Amalgam, Siddhartha Art gallery, Nepal.
2019: Himalayan Art Festival, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Collections in:
Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tibet, France, Germany, Finland, Japan, Italy, USA, England, Australia, South Korea, Denmark, Canada, Portugal, Kenya, Mexico, Belgium , China, etc.
