Western Influence in Nepali Modern Art

Abstract

Modern Nepali painting exhibits a noticeable shift from the earlier referential form to more personal and expressive styles. The impact of the Western art styles of Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism has had a profound effect on the evolution of Nepali paintings. Nevertheless, the impact of these Western artistic styles has not superseded the indigenous practices. Rather, they have contributed to the formation of a mixed artistic style incorporating both indigenous cultural motifs and modern techniques. In this paper, the impact of Western artistic styles on contemporary Nepali painting will be discussed, considering its cultural uniqueness. Through qualitative visual comparison, it will be established that the impact of Western art practices has contributed to enhancing artistic creativity among Nepali painters.