K13-limbu

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:

2012 - B.F.A., Central Department Fine Art, Tribhuvan University (Painting)

SELECTED WORKSHOPS AND EXHIBITIONS:

2012 - Under the Bodhi Tree Art workshop in Lumbini & exhibition at the Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu

2012 - The Importance of Critical Thinking & Analysis for Efficacy in Creativity Martin Chautari workshop

2011 - New Expressions on the Block, Group Exhibition at the Siddhartha Art Gallery

2011 - Cultural Art Exhibition 2 – organised by Kirat Rai Yayhokkh

2011 - Artists in the City art project on urbanization and urban culture, Interactive Mapping & Archiving Project

(IMAP) & Social Science, Baha

2011 – Art Theory & Art Appreciation Orientation Fulbright Scholar Kathryn Hagy at Sirjana College of

Fine Art, organised by Lasanaa.

2011 – International Short Video Show Shailee Restaurant, Babar Mahal, Kathmandu, a ‘Space’ project

2010 – Grand Exhibition of Paintings Rotary Club of Chandragiri

2010 - Culture for Peace collaborative installation at KCAC

2010 - International Art conference & Workshop on art globalization Himalayan Hotel, Lalitpur & Promises

Chameli nursery, Lalitpur, organized by Lasanaa

2010 - Interactive Art Workshop interactive art through the social network - Art nepal.com & Times creation

2010 - Serendipity Experimental printmaking workshop Fulbright scholar Kathryn Hagy, Sirjana college

of Fine Art organized by Lasanaa

2010 - Short Video Art Workshop - Space’ A’ an alternative Art Practices & Lasanaa, an alternative art space

2010 - Land, Kalakarko Aankhama Bhumi’ workshop & Exhibition, Naxal

2010 - GET TOGETHER Larva contemporary art show, Nepal Art Council

2009 - Voices Silent No Longer at PSM Gallery Mahendra Pull, Pokhara - Lasana & the Creative Artist Society.

2009 - Cultural Art Exhibition Kirat Fine Art Society at the Nepal Art Council

2008 – Collaborative workshop with traditional South Asian artists at Nepal Art Council and Exhibition at NAFA,

organized by Bindu,

2008 - 1st international Mount Everest Day Organized by ANNFSU & the Nepal Tourism Board

2008 - Art competition & exhibition organized by Alfresco Paper

2008 - Art Fete by Free Student Union, Fine Art College, Kathmandu

2008 - Art workshop organized by Tisha Sahitya Pala, Fine Art College

2007 - Lalitkala Art Festival Group Art W’kshop - Free Student Union Lalitkala (FINE ART) Campus,

Kathmandu

Residential Workshops

2009 - Voices Silent No Longer Lumle Kaski organized by Lasanaa, & co- organizer creative artist Society.

2009 - Land, Kalakarko Aakhama Bhumi Jyamirkot organized by Lasanaa

2012 - Redefining Kathmandu valley residency organized by LASANA Jeetjung marg Thapathali Kathmandu.

Experiences

2011 – worked as an illustrator at Bhudhipuran Publications, Kathmandu

2010 – CAAN Art teacher Training Orientation and workshop

2009-10 - 2D Animation Yeti Digital studio, Kathmandu

2010 – worked as a 2D animator at Yeti Digital Studio

2006-09 - Drawing & painting, Renesa Institute of Fine Art, Lalitpur,

Associated

Instructor of painting at Tribhuvan Fine Arts Campus, Kathmandu

2012 Founder Member & Secretary of Kirat Fine art society,Lasanaa program manager at jeet jung marg Thapathali

Kathmandu Nepal

Art tour trekking to remote places in Nepal.

2006 - DESTINATION KHOTANG, three week art tour by Larva - Diktel and Aishelukharka. Destination Khotang at the

Base Camp of Mount Ganesh Ghale Gaun to Pokhara Annapurna trekking route

Mekha Limbu is the recipient of the KCAC Scholarship Award. I first came across his work at the Tribhuvan University, while he was preparing for his graduation show. I was struck by his life size self-portrait and in particular, the cynicism of gaze in so young a face. In the background, of this portrait, Mekha has painted two words "garden " and "bohemia" - both words are symbolically peeling off an old hoarding and the numbers "2 x 2 = xy" seem to represent a numerical or political value that no one can understand. The loss of innocence and feeling of discomfiture is expressed in the disintegration of the word "bohemia". In this age of information, no artist can be impervious to local and global events. Urbanization, population pressure and the destruction of the environment are recurring theme in the artist's work. Next to the portrait, I stumbled across a political painting – in this work, a series of political events were sequentially arranged in comic-book style. Iconic political figures from the Maoist party made the entrances and their exits a la news reel clippings. However, the dialogue boxes were deliberately left empty so that the viewer could conjure the own dialogues. This option not only allowed for satire, it made an important comment on the empty promises made by the political leaders. Mekha Limbu belongs to this generation of angry young artists whose works provide a powerful visual commentary on the socio-political, cultural, environmental and demographic transition of the country. And like many artists

During his eight month residency at KCAC's, Patan Museum studio the artist has produced seventeen works that will be installed as a series of three narratives. Each of the series that hang in sequential order, reflect the dissonance of the times. Mekha's training as a painter and 2D animator has resulted in two distinct styles of work. His environment series: "We are on the way to Death" which was exhibited during the Second Kathmandu International Art Festival, drew a strong reaction from the public. In these works the artist displays his prowess as a painter as he visualizes a burgeoning migration to the city, the annihilation of forests to make room for urban growth, the parched earth, the cacophony of vehicles, deadly emissions from factories, ancient water spouts that can no longer quench the thirst of its populace, the spectacle of materialism and trash that chokes the city. The artist uses an unsettling palette of reds and oranges to narrate these alarming developments that not only precipitate climate change climate but endanger humanity itself.

With Mekha's comics series, we walk with the artist through the chaotic streets of Kathmandu. We share the artist's frustration as he exposes us to a series or sequences of different scenarios. And we share the same sense of betrayal as we realize that the dividends of development in this post conflict period have not ushered in new opportunities. The specter of corruption seems to have permeated into our daily lives and into all levels of society. A plethora of social malaises plague the nation, a hopelessness so devastating continues to push the youth of the country to migrate, violent crimes have become the norm and women its victims . In a news report in the Kathmandu Post, eastern Nepal recorded 148 cases of rape in the past nine months alone. On a national level, the crimes against women are even higher . The comic series are presentations of the dissonance and angst that we all feel as citizens of this country. There is no doubt that some of works in these sequences look hurried and flimsy. However, there are sections within these paintings, which are extremely powerful. These sections in isolation have the potential to be developed further into a powerful body of work in the future. Above all, Mekha's paintings prompt us to rise above the fatalism and apathy that has traditionally fettered us.

Sangeeta Thapa - KCAC co-founder & curator

WORK BEFORE KCAC