Nakhon Sawan International Art Festival 2024
Nepali Artists Represent Nepal at Nakhon Sawan International Art Festival 2024
Recently, Naresh Sainju and I, Jeevan Rajopadhyay, returned to Nepal after representing the country at the Nakhon Sawan International Art Festival 2024 in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand. My connection to this event traces back to 2017 when I met Wattanachot Tungateja, the artist’s coordinator and one of the organizer team of this festival, during the Himalayan Art Camp organized by E-Arts Nepal in Pokhara.
The festival commenced on November 11, featuring 142 artists from 40 countries. The grand opening ceremony set the tone for the event, followed by a vibrant art workshop. Renowned artists from around the globe showcased their creativity through various mediums, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, graphic prints, and more, making the workshop both dynamic and inspiring.
During the workshop, I created a painting titled “Himaldeki Samundrasamma” (From the Himalayas to the Ocean) by combining two canvases, which received significant appreciation. Similarly, Naresh painted a mesmerizing depiction of the Machhapuchhre mountain range.
The workshop concluded on November 16, followed by a grand exhibition on November 17 showcasing the artwork produced during the event. The exhibition, which ran until November 30, attracted a wide range of visitors, from school children to diplomats. These artworks will now be part of the permanent collection at the Nakhon Sawan Art Museum.
The festival was praised for its excellent management, with numerous volunteers assisting artists with accommodation, travel, and other needs. The participating artists expressed their satisfaction with the hospitality and organization.
The event was jointly organized by Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat University, Nakhon Sawan Art Gallery, Fairy Art Space, and other collaborators. According to the organizers, their vision is to transform Nakhon Sawan into a hub for art and culture, with plans to host similar events in the future.
By Jeevan Rajopadhyay