Spaces_is 9

“SHADES OF CUBISM – YES - THAT
IS WHAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE
OBSERVED IN MY WORKS,” admits the
self effacing artist, Shyam Lal Shrestha. It
is obvious that Shrestha’s canvases -
canvases with pleasingly modulated brush
strokes - contain an unambiguous
geometry. His works are easily
distinguishable; the distinction due
primarily to the endowment of concise
broad strokes throughout his paintings.
But this major distinctive factor could be
short lived, for, as the artist says with a
smile, “I have noticed that nowadays some
young painters have started to imitate my
style.” Well, this can only be regarded as
one more indicator to emphasize his
stature, for imitation is said to be the best
form of flattery.
Now, at the beginning of the sixth decade
in his life’s journey, Shyam Lal has become
a contemplative man, or rather, more
contemplative than in his younger years.
One can discern a definite air of far
reaching wisdom in his silences. He does
not speak much it seems, perhaps it is the
artist in him that makes him so miserly in
personal expression, for it could be that
as an artist of long standing, he would
prefer his standing among the human race
to be defined by his many creative works.
And rightly so, we must agree, because
Shyam Lal Shrestha’s artistic talent is
something that deserves bountiful
accolades. It is not only his talent that has
to be appreciated, his dedicated pursuit in
the honing of the same has to be also
recognized.
Above: A work such as this confirms the
artist’s mastery over his medium. Rich
hues of yellow on Lokta paper canvas
brings to light a beautiful texture.
Left: Simple in concept, but imaginative
in execution- that is what Shyam Lal’s
paintings are all about.
Shyam Lal still has a head full of flourishing
hair and as well, a home full of happy
family members. Two sons, Uttam and
Rustom, a wife, and a mother live with him
in his large modern mansion in a corner
of the Baber Mahal area. His gallery, ‘Image
Art Gallery’ is on the ground floor and has
been designed internally in a neo classical
hue. Hung on the walls are some of the
SPACES MAR-APR 2006 25