Curator announcement of Kathmandu Triennale 2020

Kathmandu Triennale 2020 is delighted to announce the appointment of Hit Man Gurung and Sheelasha Rajbhandari, Kathmandu-based artists, cultural organisers, and co-founders of artist collective Artree Nepal, as Curators of the upcoming edition, joining Artistic Director Cosmin Costinas.
----------------
Hit Man Gurung’s work is concerned with some of the most pressing socio-political issues of Nepal, including internal and international mass migration, the legacy of the decade-long Maoist insurgency in the country, as well as the recent pervasive effects of global capitalism in Nepal, and how these issues impact individuals, communities, and society at large. Gurung infuses his paintings, documentary photo collages, performance and installation works with political conviction and personal poetry. Gurung has participated in major art exhibitions both in Nepal and abroad.

Sheelasha Rajbhandari is interested in exploring alternative and plural narratives by learning the value of folklore, oral histories, mythologies, material culture, performance, and rituals and placing them as evidence, alongside references to mainstream history and narratives. Her long term research projects and artistic practice often juxtapose these contradictions and synthesise the knowledge and experiences that result from individual and collective discourses. Through her works, she frequently tries to encounter socially taboo subject matters, with a focus on women’s struggles. Her recent works explore the current transformation of Nepal from a once important centre for trans-Himalayan trade to a geopolitical situation in flux between India and China. Rajbhandari worked as an instructor of sculpture at Lalit Kala Campus, Tribhuvan University (2012-2014). Her works have been a part of exhibitions at major venues worldwide.

Gurung and Rajbhandari have been working collaboratively on multiple projects, including “12 Bishakh - Camp.Hub” Post Earthquake Community Art Project, in which they were Co-Artistic Directors. They are also co-contributors to several books including ‘Breaking Views’, ‘Absolute Humidity’, a.o.