It takes a lot of devotion and time to create an artwork, and establishing oneself as a professional in the art field has its own challenges. Moreover, one must be in good health and of sound mind, to cope with challenges that come along the way. It is not an easy task for women who are looking after their family and are constantly seeking excellence in their career. My City’s Sangita Shrestha talked to six prominent female visual artists about their art, life and challenges in their career:

Deepmala Maharjan
She completed her MFA two years ago and she has been active since then. Her paintings focus on the theme of womanhood.

Art for me
I have never thought about what art is for me. I just create art when I feel like. If I have to think then art is voice for me.

Relation between health and art
I have not thought about how health is related to art. But after my marriage I had health complications due to a change in my food habit. And now I don’t eat red meat and follow a healthy diet so that I can continue creating beautiful artworks.

Life for me and challenges as a female artist
Life is about experiences and realizing the positive and negative aspects it. Though I did not face any challenges on my way to becoming an artist, as a professional, I am having a hard time. But I am seeking my way out and I hope I will overcome this hurdle. 

Jasmine Rajbhandari 
It has been more than a decade for Rajbhandari in art scenario. She expresses herself in vibrant colors and she captures day to day event in a striking manner in the canvas. 

Art for me
For me art is life.

Relation between health and art
Art and health are closely related. There is a verse in Sanskrit that talks about creation of art and it says if you are hungry, thirsty and your sitting position is not comfortable then you are not able to create art. So painting is related to health. However, there were many artists who suffered mentally and even in such condition they were able to express themselves. So I think there is a relation between health and art. I drink water early in the morning to stay healthy and nothing else.

Life for me and challenges as a female artist
I believe life is meant to have fun while also embracing the sad moments. Due to the pain and suffering in my life, I am able to know the meaning of life—live happily. I feel it is easy for a female artist to establish herself in Nepal in comparison to our male counterparts. There are only few female artists and whenever they do exhibitions they are recognized. However, there are challenges in life and time has helped me overcome all the challenges.

Namrata Singh
Singh’s paintings have a Mithila flavor in them and she uses various motifs from traditional Mithila art. It has been seven years for her in the art field and she is doing well for herself. 

Art for me
Art is a self-expression and looking forward to positive side of life.

Relation between health and art
Art is a form of meditation for me and I feel I am healed when I work on my paintings. 

Life for me and challenges as a female artist
Life is a series of experiences and it is unexpected. Artists need to get out from their house to experience things, which was difficult for me in my initial days and still is, but I have endured my parents’ nagging. 

Bipana Maharjan 

Since 2001, Maharjan has been actively working in the Nepali art field and she is also involved in teaching print making. She usually creates prints where she uses the motif of torans (wooden support at Nepali temples) and creates vivid landscapes, among others. 

Art for me 
Art is life for me.

Relation between health and art
One cannot do anything successfully in life if they are not in sound health, be it physical or mental. So to create my art I make sure that I am in good health. I take balanced diet and do regular exercise to keep my health in check. 

Life for me and challenges as a female artist
Life is a drama for me. And there are a lot of challenges in my life. I live in a joint family and have twins who are around two years old now. It takes a lot of time, energy and effort to create artwork. However, my determination to continue what I am doing and time management has helped me overcome my challenges as a female artist. 

Sandhya Silwal
Silwal did BFA from Kathmandu University in 2007. Most of her motifs are women where she channelizes her thinking through painting and installations. Her paper cutouts with geometric patterns and women set her aside from her contemporaries. 

Art for me
Art is a form of expressing myself. Art is fulfillment in my life.

Relation between health and art
Art has helped me get out from my depression and it has become a healing factor for me. I forget all the stress in my life when I am involved in art. And it is compulsory to have physical health to devote your time in art. I have a habit to drink green tea whenever I am in my studio to work.

Life for me and challenges as a female artist
Life has different definitions in different stages of my life. And I feel life is a struggle. Being a female itself is a challenge where you are not able to explore the world freely. And I have been convincing my family about letting me explore, so I do have my limitations.

Sarita Dongol 
It has been more than two decades for Dongol in the art field where she gets inspiration from nature for her paintings. She uses chilly as her major motif and she is not only active as an artist but she is also a curator, gallery coordinator and entrepreneur.  

Art for me
Art is a medium to express my feelings, emotions and surrounding. 

Relation between health and art
Healthy mind and body are vital to create art. I am very health conscious and prefer homemade food. My mom is my source of inspiration to be healthy and art has helped me to keep me calm and relaxed. So health and art are inter-related for me.

Life for me and challenges as a female artist
Life is like a moving vehicle and you have to struggle to get to your destination. But you have to take all your challenges lightly and keep moving on. Time management has helped me to overcome my challenges as a female artist.