Laya Mainali ( Dr )

In Dr. Laya Mainali’s sculptures Shivalinga is the recurrent image that encompasses the whole universe. The works represent the belief that the whole universe is within the Shivalinga. According to Hindu mythology, it is the united form of prakriti and purusa or female and male principles. In the union of prakriti and purusa or Shakti and Shiva, all the constituents of the universe become one. The duality between the self and the other does not exist. This is visually depicted through the penetrated disk (yoni) by the Shivalinga (phallus). The individual sadhaka realizes this non-duality through sadhana or meditation. He finds the whole cosmos within himself.

In Dr. Laya Mainali’s sculptures Shivalinga is the recurrent image that encompasses the whole universe. The works represent the belief that the whole universe is within the Shivalinga. According to Hindu mythology, it is the united form of prakriti and purusa or female and male principles. In the union of prakriti and purusa or Shakti and Shiva, all the constituents of the universe become one. The duality between the self and the other does not exist. This is visually depicted through the penetrated disk (yoni) by the Shivalinga (phallus). The individual sadhaka realizes this non-duality through sadhana or meditation. He finds the whole cosmos within himself. Mainali himself believes that art is beauty, and beauty is bliss. Shivalinga, which is beyond beauty and bliss, is the symbol of absolute bliss (paramananda), light, peace and infinity. It has been extended beyond land and sky encompassing every particle of the universe. It is beyond the beginning and the end, and timeless within time and he has attempted to aestheticise this spiritual faith in his works.

In Dr. Mainali’s works, phallus and vulva are also frequently represented overtly. The covert symbols Shivalinga and lotus signify phallus and yoni. On the other hand, the overt ones signify back to the male and female principles, purusa and prakriti, the sadhaka and the universe respectively. Being specific and concrete, they carry wider significances. Furthermore, the use of erotic images in his sculptures is the reintegration and reformulation of Nepali traditional works like paubha, mandala and tundal. However, the treatment of subject matter and form are his own innovation. His works are linked to tradition and modernity at the same time.

Meditating figures like saints, monk and Buddha are also recurrent in his works. Various charkras (cycles) and ascending Kundalini are apparent in the body of meditating figures. Such religeo-cultural images burst forth from his collective unconscious. Ritual and mythical pattern are found here and there suggesting the artist’s spiritual ambience.

Some of Dr. Mainali’s sculptures are the microcosm of the pagoda architecture. But he renews and revitalizes the form. A few sculptures in geometric form depict intimate human relationships. And rest of his modern sculptures are abstract. Some of them dimly resemble to the germinating seeds and embryo. The sensuous texture and organic form arouse the tactile sensation in the viewers. We do not know what they mean but immensely enjoy seeing, touching, feeling and having them near us. The form of the volume is its own significance.

Date of Birth: March 1^st 1962

Education: Phd in Fine Arts, Sculpture, “Development of Modern Sculpture in Nepal”, 2004

Masters in Fine Arts, Sculpture, Surikov State Art University, Moscow, Russia, 1988

Work Experience:

1. Associate Professor, Fine Arts Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Since 1988 till now.
2. Visiting Professor, University of Wisconsin, Fox valley, USA, 1997-1998.
3. Worked as a Painting and Sculpture tutor for 60 orphan students from Finland during their stay in Kathmandu, Nepal, 1989-1990.
4. Worked under a NGO, Nepal Center for Women and Children Affairs, as an Art Teacher in different Government school in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 1989-to 1992.
5. Worked as an Art Teacher (sculpture and drawing) at Original Contemporary Gallery, Gaushala, Kathmandu, Nepal, 1992.

Solo Exhibition:

1. 2007: Painting- The Art Shop, Durbarmarg, Kathmandu, Nepal
2. 2007: Painting- Park Gallery, Lazimpat, Kathmandu,Nepal
3. 2003: Sculpture- Nepal Art Council, Kathmandu, Nepal
4. 2002: Sculpture- Hilton Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
5. 2001: Sculpture- Amics de Nepal Barcelona, Spain

Prizes and Awards:

1. 2005: His Majesty King Gyanendra graciously conferred Mahendra Vidya Bhusan First Category (Highest Educational Award) for Phd Degree, Kathmandu
2. 2005: His Majesty King Gyanendra graciously conferred Suprawal Gorkha Dhkhin Bahu (Third) for the contribution in Art field, Kathmandu
3. 2001: His Majesty King Gyanendra graciously conferred Birendra- Aishwarya medal, Kathmandu
4. 1997: His Majesty King Birendra graciously conferred Silver Medal on Silver Jubilee of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne, Kathmandu
5. 2007: Certification of Felicitation by ACME Learning Center, Kathmandu
6. 2006: Certificate of Appreciation conferred by ARAMBA Contemporary Nepali Sculptor Group, Kathmandu
7. 2006: Certificate of Appreciation conferred by Mainali Asssociation,Kathmandu
8. 2004: Second Prize (sculpture) National Art Exibition (NAFA), Kathmandu
9. 2001: Second prize (sculpture) national Art Exhibition , Nepal, Association of Fine Arts (NAFA) and Nepal Academy, Kathmandu
10. 2000: Awarded the Araniko Youth Prize in recognition of the contribution in the field of sculptures in Nepal, Kathmandu
11. 1997: Certificate of Merit on the Silver Jubliee of His Majesty King Birendra’s Accession to the throne from the Main Civic Celebration Committee, Kathmandu.
12. 1995: Awarded the Best youth Prize in recognition of the contribution in the field of sculpture (portraits) in Nepal, Rangamanch Bio-weekly Newspaper Kathmandu.
13. 1995 Certificate of merit and medal on golden jubilee birthday of his Majesty King Birendra from the civic golden jubilee birthday celebration Committee, Kathmandu
14. 1977: Second Prize (Painting) Himalaya Bidya Mindir, Kathmandu
15. 1976: Third prize (Painting), Nepal Children Organization, Bal Mandir, Kathmandu
16. 1976: Wild Life Conservation Department Ministry of Forestry, Kathmandu

Book Publications:

All in Nepali Language

1. 2005: The modern Installed Sculptures of Pramila Giri,
2. 2004: Material, Type, Style, Elements of Sculpture
3. 2003: World Art, Civilization, Style and Ism
4. 2003: Thakur Prasad Mainali and his Modern Environmental Sculpture
5. 2002: Creation and Perception
6. 1997: Art and the Artists

Art Criticism:

Publishing articles in various aspects of Fine Arts in daily and weekly periodicals since 1889

Major Commission Works:

1. Portrait (bust) of Her Majesty Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, In stalled at the Public Park in Baglung, Nepal. Inaugurated by Late Her Majesty Queen Aishworya, 1988.
2. Portrait (bust) of Her Majesty Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah for Gorkha Bal Mandir, Gorkha, Nepal.
3. Portrait (bust) of Her Majesty Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Installed at Bal Mandir Naxal, Kathmandu. Inaugurated by then Minister of Education, Culture and Social Welfare, Mr. Mod Nath Prashit
4. Portrait (bust) of Her Majesty Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Installed at the Public Ratna Park, Kathmandu. Inaugurated by then Minister of Local Development, Mr. Kamal Thapa
5. Portrait (bust) of Late Deputy Prime Minister Man Mohan Adhikari, Installed at Birjung Metropolitian, Nepal, Inaugurated by General Secretary of UML Leader Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal
6. Portrait (bust) of Late Educationalist Nychuee Bahadur Bajracharya, Principle Maitra School, Installed at Chauni, Kathmandu,
7. Portrait (bust) of Babar Shamsher JB Rana, Installed at Babar Mahal Revisited Kathmandu,
8. Portrait (bust) of Krishna Prasad Koirala, Father of Prime minister G.P. Koirala, Installed at Adarsa School, Biratnagar, Nepal, Inaugurated by Prime Minister G.P.Koirala
9. Portrait (bust) of Late Prime Minister B.P. Koirala , Installed at Dang, Nepal, Inaugurated by then Speaker of House Ram Chandra Paudel.
10. Portrait (bust) of Martyrs Shree Prasad Parajuli, Installed at Taplejung district, Nepal Inaugurated by Vice Chairman, Upperhouse, Mr Chiranjivi Prasad Rijal.
11. Portrait (bust) of Martyrs’ Nirgun Sthapit, Installed at Public Youth Campus, Kathmandu, Inaugurated by Late Ganesh Man Singh, a Prominent Political Leader of Nepali Congress
12. Portrait (bust) of National Poet Siddicharan Shrestha , Installed at Ombahal, Kathmandu, Inaugurated by then Prime Minister Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba.
13. Portrait (bust) of National Poet Siddicharan Shrestha, Installed at Okhaldunga, Nepal, Inaugurated by then Vice Chancellor Madan Mani Dixit.
14. Portrait (bust) of National Poet Siddicharan Shrestha, Installed at Mirchaiya, Siraha District, Nepal, Inaugurated by National Poet Madhav Ghimire
15. Portrait (bust) of Poet Hridaya Chandra Singh Pradhan, Installed at Ramhiti, Bouddha, Kathmandu, Inaugurated by National Poet Madhav Ghimire
16. Portrait (bust) of Student Martyrs Nanu Neupane, Installed at Padma Kanya Campus, Kathmandu, Inaugurated by Primeminister G.P.Koirala
17. Statue of Justice, Installed at Nepal Law Campus, Kathmandu, Inaugurated by then Chief Justice Biswo Nath Upadhaya.
18. Sculpture of 5 feet tall of Lord Jesus Christ at OM Sai Kendra, Ramesh Nepal, Kathmandu.
19. Sculpture of 5 feet tall of Lord Shri Krishna at Nepal Bal Mandir, Naxal, Kathmandu.
20. Sculpture of 5 feet tall of Lord Shri Krishan at OM Sai Kendra, Ramesh Nepal, Kathmandu.

Participation in Group Exhibition

1. 2007: On the Occasion of International Mother Language Day, Buri Ganga, Bangladesh and Art Council, Nepal organized International Art Exhibition
2. 2007: Holi Art Gallery, Lazimpat, Kathmandu
3. 2007: Mithila Yain Art Gallery, Kathmandu
4. 2007: Old Man’s Mirror-2 Pashupati Old Age Centre, Kathmandu
5. 2006: Sonja Art Gallery, Kathmandu
6. 2006: “Isben” Celebration Norwegian Embassy, Park Gallery, BBIC, Kathmandu.
7. 2006: “Inspired Expression”, Park Gallery, Kathmandu
8. 2006: 2250 Lord Buddha Jayanti Organizing Committee, Kathmandu
9. 2006: Asian Art Biennale, Bangladesh.
10. 2005: Art Party, Exhibition and Art Festival, Bhav Art Gallery, Alliance Francise, Kathmandu
11. 2004: Painting Exhibition organized by Nepal Academy on the occasion of 283 Birth Anniversary of King Prithivi Narayan Shah, Kathmandu
12. 2001 Asian Art Biennale, Bangladesh
13. 2001: Anta Pachi ko Suruwat, Nepal Association of Fine Arts, Dhulikhel, Kathmandu
14. 2000: Helping Hands, International Contemporary Art Gallery, Kathmandu
15. 1999: Rangalal Bangdel Smirti National Art Exhibition ‘Nepal Art Council’ Kathmandu
16. 1997-2006: National Art And Craft Exibition, Nepal Association of Fine Arts (NAFA), Nepal Academy, Kathmandu
17. 1996: International Art Exhibition, Kathmandu, On the Auspicious Occasion of The Silver Jubilee of His Majesty King Birendra’s Accession to Throne, Kathmandu
18. 1987: International Student Art Show, Moscow
19. 1981: Lion’s Club of Kavre, Banepa, Nepal
20. 1981: Fine Arts Campus, Kathmandu
21. 1980: Artist Circle, Nepal India Cultural Center, Kathmandu.
22. 1980: Artist Circle, Fine Art Campus, Kathmandu.
23. 2000: British Ambassador Residence, Sculpture Exhibition inaugurated by Naxal , Kathmandu
24. 2004: Nepal Art Society and ‘Baba Narnarayan Ashram Sewa Samiti’, Art Council, Kathmandu

Art Workshop:

1. 2007: Spiritual Painting Workshop, Organized by Fine Art Critics Society, Nepal
2. 2007: Korea Nepal Culture and Art Education Work Shop Organized by Pum Nepal –Korea Social Work Organization, Kathmandu
3. 2007: Grand Contemporary Art Workshop at ‘Kalaupaban’organized by Nepal, Association of Fine Arts NAFA and Artist Society of Nepal, Kathmandu.
4. 2006: International Sculpture Symposium organized by Arrambha, Kathmandu.
5. 2006: 2550 Buddha Jayanti Organization Committee, Kathmandu
6. 2006: In Memory of Legend Artist RN Joshi, Park Gallery, Kathmandu
7. 2006: In Memory “IBSEN” at Residency of Norwegian Ambassador, Kathmandu.
8. 2004: Participated in seven day workshop organized by Jagaran Media Center on the theme ‘art for discrimination against ethnicity, Kathmandu
9. 2004: Participated in three day workshop ‘ultimate retreat’ organized jointly by ‘Cave and Nest Resort’ Nagarjun and Maya, Kathmandu
10. 2004: Participated in a seven day work shop ’Coxing the Nature’ at Osho Tapoban, Nagarjun, organized by ‘Sutra Art Group’, Kathmandu
11. 2004: Participated in one day work shop organized by Nepal Art Society and ‘Baba Narnarayan Ashram Sewa Samiti’ Matatirtha, Kathmandu
12. 2003: Participated in one day art Workshop in Dhulikhel by Nepal Commercial artist Organization, Kathmandu

Visits:

USA, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Yugoslavia, India, Afghanistan, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Thailand, Bangladesh