In Nepali art, the youth group that presents paintings based on the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu or God’s theme is decreasing. In view of the fact that the artists are gradually enjoying their works that can be sold, a separate exhibition is being held in the premises of Nepal Art House, Thamel (Kathmandu Guest House) from 5th to 7th October (22nd to 24th October). The painting exhibition was inaugurated by Robert Beer, an artist and an author, by lighting a lamp. Although artist Jesus Shrestha is a new name for Nepal, he is already a familiar name for the art world of Finland. He started his school education from Dipendra Police School and from his childhood, he was more interested in painting than the studies.
In his childhood, when he had to live under strict discipline at school, he used to think how much fun it would be if he could stay at home. He also talked about this issue at home. Both his parents were professional and didn’t used to stay at home. Thus they agreed that young Jesus could stay at home alone as long as he wanted. ‘On the very first day while I was staying at home, I was bored. I begged my parents that I would rather go to school rather than staying at home, Shrestha remembers his childhood days and smiles.
When he was in grade 6, and one of his teacher was teaching in the class, he was busy in drawing the face of that teacher. The teacher came from behind and pretended to be angry seeing him draw. After the class was over, he summoned him into the office room. There, the teacher praised the picture of Jesus and assured him that he would publish his work in Muna magazine (a local monthly magazine designed for children). For Jesus, who had deep passion for drawing was in the seventh heaven due to this offer and feels like it was the turning point in him that he got more determined to be an artist.
After completing his SLC examination in 2006, he joined the college for higher education. As his interest was in art, he talked at home and joined the Fine Arts Campus to study art. The condition in his house for studying fine arts was that he had to raise the expenses of studying fine arts by himself. For that, he taught part-time in a school that was managed by his own mother. After the studies was over, he went to Finland to study art.
During his stay in Finland, he had the opportunity to study various aspects of art. He started learning about sculptures, Installation art, painting etc. This education helped in broadening his horizon of thinking. While he was in Nepal, the religious stories that his grandmother and family members used to tell had a big impact in him. Thus the subject matters that he chose had some religious flavor in it.l The professors teaching in Finland had no idea and understanding of the topics he presented. Therefore, he proceeded by taking these stories as stories of aesthetic beauty rather than the religion itself.
The art of Jesus, who lived and worked in a place where there were many sects that believe in a completely different religion than his own, is amazing in itself. He says that he continues to paint while enduring the taunts he received because of his skin color. The paintings that are being displayed at the exhibition were made by him 11 years ago while he was staying in Nepal.
When he came to Nepal, he met Rajan Shakya, director of Kathmandu Guest House and Mona. Shakya, who was impressed by the uniqueness and profound knowledge of art, proposed an exhibition in his own place with the aim of bringing the works of Jesus to more Nepalis. As a result, this exhibition got materialized.
In one painting of Jesus, the 10 heads of Ravana are presented with separate faces, while Rama and flying Hanuman are also shown on the canvas. This picture is attractive because of the beauty in the selection of colors and themes.
In the same way, in another picture, Krishna is showing the scene of Krishna having a good time with the Gopinis (the female lovers of Krishna). His color palates and the way of presenting the painting is unique. While he was in Finland, he would make up a story and only talk about the aesthetic aspects of such paintings rather than focusing on the religious context of such paintings.
In another work, the moment of Hiranyakashipu being killed by Vishnu avatar Narasimha in his arms has been captured on canvas using acrylic paint. According to the statement, Hiranyakashipu had received a boon that, not to die during the day, nor at night, nor outside the house, nor inside, nor in the sky, nor on the ground, nor by man or any animals. Thus he was slaughtered using the the nail by one of the incarnation of Vishnu by taking in his lap and fulfilling all the requirements mentioned in the b0on.
The artist furthermore talks about his work, “Most of my works are in Finland. Therefore, the paintings that are going to be exhibited here are only a part of what I do. When I come to Nepal in the coming years, I will bring more of my recent works. Since this is not a planned exhibition, those works have not been brought.”
Due to the diversity in the adjustment of colors, it can be estimated that the works of the artist Jesus are more preferred in Finland, and a glimpse of some of the methods of his favorite painter Picasso can be seen in his work. Eight of his paintings are displayed in this exhibition.
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