Painting

Bikash Tamakhu, August 2025

Artist’s Narrative
Guardians of the Waterspout: Makara Reimagined is inspired by the mythical creature Makara (or Hitimunga) that has long graced the ancient waterspouts—dhunge dharas or hitis—of Bhaktapur, Patan, and Kathmandu. Growing up deeply rooted in this heritage, the Makara has always been more than just a symbol from my childhood—it is a guardian, a storyteller, and a timeless connection to the sacred and artistic essence of my city.
Crafted in papier-mâché, this sculpture represents a fusion of tradition and modern aesthetics, bridging the past and the present. The bold metallic colors and stylized yet dynamic forms reflect contemporary reinterpretations, while the intricate motifs and swirling water-like patterns honor the meticulous artistry of Newar craftsmen who shaped these icons centuries ago.
This piece is meant to evoke nostalgia, reverence, and a renewed appreciation for the mythical guardians that once stood silently at the thresholds of temples, warding off misfortune and ushering in purity. It is also a tribute to our heritage, resilience, and the enduring beauty of the Makara as a protector of both community and water.

Work details:
Title: Guardians of the Waterspout: Makara Reimagined
Medium: Paper Mache and Mixed Media
Size: 36*25 inch
Created Year: 2025           

Bikash Tamakhu is an artist from the historic city of Bhaktapur, Nepal, whose work fuses traditional motifs with contemporary techniques. Deeply rooted in Bhaktapur’s cultural heritage, his art often portrays the city’s architecture, rituals, and everyday life. A 2015 graduate of Kathmandu University, Bikash has participated in multiple group exhibitions, workshops, and one solo exhibition, Me and My Vicinity.

He received the National Fine Art Award in Handicraft at the National Art Exhibition in 2012, and in 2024 his logo and mascot design were selected by the National Sports Council of Nepal. Beyond exhibitions, Bikash is active in community-based art education, particularly post-earthquake initiatives, and currently teaches art at several schools.

Narayan Bohaju, July 2024

Artist’s Narrative
The Floating Hopes is influenced by the landscape of increasing Nepalese urbanization. Everyone has a dream to reach the heights despite their limited abilities, perhaps this is what our increasingly urban landscape is showing. It is our desire or compulsion to dream of touching the sky by leaning on a narrow place but it has become our reality. I have tried to express the building there with the tall and thin structures covered with dark colors of monochromatic style used in my paintings. The appearance and conditions of the house are showing the face of our lifestyle.
Although our life is going in the direction of artificiality in the desire of modernity, I believe that a spiritual light is naturally hidden inside every human being. And wanting to be close to nature is a spiritual glimpse within us. The water lily seems like a beautiful symbol of spirituality. Everyone’s heart is filled with positivity when they see beautiful and holy flowers blooming on the mud. I get a similar feeling when I see lily pads floating in the water. It seems that we are all living there under lust and the hope of being pure and natural is floating above us.  

Work details:
Title: The Floating Hopes
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Size: 42*84 inch
Created Year: 2023           

Narayan Bohaju is an emerging contemporary artist from the cultural city Bhaktapur, Nepal.  He has been involved in various experimental projects and participated in numerous group exhibition and art events in India and Nepal, including the 2^nd Kathmandu International Art festival 2012, SAMHITA– national level seminar cum workshop, New Delhi 2011, and Artist in Residency at Goa organized by Indian Atelier in 2013.

He also contributed to Camp Hub Bhaktapur, a community art project related to the post-earthquake period in 2015. His artworks often depict objects that reflect people’s lives and contemporary situations. He did three solo exhibitions entitled ‘Color of Horizon’ 2009, ‘Song of Local Sounds’ 2012 and ‘Beyond the Object’ 2019. Since 2012, he has been a visiting faculty member at the Department of Art and Design at Kathmandu University.