Seema's Prints: A Mystic Visual Journey

Madan Chitrakar Artist/Artwriter

'Prints' as an art form - albeit crude wood-prints, has a long history in Nepal. But those were mere religious expressions and meant for mass circulation as an object of worship.

Today however, modern 'print making' as a powerful tool of contemporary art in Nepal, is a recent phenomenon. Thanks to a group of dedicated modern artists/printmakers, within a very short span of time, this genre has taken some long and remarkable strides and is able to project it as an effective medium where there are wider possibilities - usually not found in others. The present body of works, presented by Dr. Seema Sharma Shah - one of the eminent artists of Nepal today, stands strong testimony to this statement. Before we talk about the amazing etchings by Dr. Shah, it becomes natural to know few things about the artist herself and her role in promoting this genre in Nepal. Dr. Shah along with her artist husband Sri Uma Shankar Shah remains one of the very few early printmakers who have made long and consistent efforts to nurture and promote this art-virtually leading it from a scratch to today's respectable heights. Without any exaggerations, it may be added that the artist duo also do deserve to be credited for projecting Nepal in many international events in this regard. In the meantime, Dr. Seema as a result of her untiring and continued explorations has succeeded to reach a height of eminence -she is in today. And it makes a no surprise that her works - prints are considered one of the most sought after art items in the current art market here.

Speaking about the present body of works, it has become imperative to connect it with her earlier thoughts and exercises. During her early days, she is found to have been influenced and fascinated by the nature and the social life of her surroundings. But once she arrived in Kathmandu after her marriage with artist Uma Shankar Shah, apparently she was completely enthralled by the medieval art forms here and she discovered in it an unlimited source of inspiration and began to fully immerse in these exotic forms - so abundantly scattered in historic parts of Kathmandu. She did not look back and began an endless search and explorations in the possibilities these forms offered to a creative mind. She remained thoroughly convinced to it. The present series of works therefore, is only a natural extension of these thoughts - added and mixed with her long sensitive observation of the cultural life and the medieval ways of religious Kathmandu. A glaring example, one would easily notice is Dr. Seema's profound love to explore in the Nepali version of Lord Ganesha's image and express it in her own creative diverse perceptions. Also, there is an interesting array of imageries depicting a unique tradition of living goddess here : the Kumari. She has been found strongly attracted to the mystic nature of the tradition : and the forms, festivals and the motifs associated with this deity. And equally visible is her fascination with the myriad exotic forms from the medieval Buddhist art - particularly associated with the Mahayan Buddhism - a predominant Buddhist sect here. To express all these exotic themes, Dr. Seema has made tremendous efforts in creating astonishing array of imageries which contained clever but meticulous manipulation of forms and motifs - revealing incredibly a unique character in her etchings. Obviously, her obsession to work in these exotic forms is well rewarded-revealing an astonishing array of visual extravaganza. In addition to making an unmistakable display of an immensely rich play of intricate, diverse and exotic shapes and forms, her works are equally enriched by the well-matched, sweet and suitable juxtapositions of multiple colors. In totality, the works in general reveal artist Shah's consummated sense of judgment in terms of choice of forms and colors and her ability to create an air of mystic visual journey.

Lastly, these lines - describing her thoughts and works, would acquire an added importance once certain facts about her technical aspects are also revealed. Her choice of forms and the reasons behind it, has become no more a secret. But what makes her works so perfect and up to a desired level - that is technically, remains a bit of secret. It is little mystifying. The answer is they are created - or printed differently. Let's repeat ' once again', Dr. Seema remains one of a very few who is familiar and has mastered an innovative method in printmaking called ' viscosity'. This method, unlike the usual, allows the artist to produce a multicolored print in a single coat. It outdated the earlier concept of a separate plate for each different color. In addition to saving time and extra materials for each extra colors, sometime she use sugerlifting. Gumbiting and Deep acid bite, it enables the artist to create a multicolored desired image instantly. It indeed, remains a noble and unique experiment in itself.

In conclusion, Dr. Seema Sharma shah through this exhibition has asserted once again her eminence as a master printmaker - an artist with an amazing creative strength and fully armed with the technical skills needed to realize her imagination. Exposition of her works beyond the boundaries of Nepal, not only serves to extend her eminence elsewhere but also helps to project to a great extent, a glimpse of creative exercises taking place in the country (Nepal). With the best wishes.