Exhibit review: In ‘Dialogue and Perception’, colour does all the talking

Sagar Manandhar’s latest exhibition, ‘Dialogue and Perception (Sambad ra Dristikon),’ invites viewers to immerse themselves in feeling before searching for meaning. The collection, displayed at Kala Salon, immediately captivates with its remarkable harmony of color.

Each painting centers around a dominant hue, allowing secondary colors to blend organically. The canvases are rich with vivid blues, oranges, yellows, and purples, yet they maintain a striking balance, exuding energy without chaos. Abstract in nature, the works are anchored by strong geometric forms and structured lines, revealing a discipline beneath the apparent spontaneity. Thin borders often contain the compositions, but sections within the paintings seem to push outward, resisting confinement.

Manandhar has developed a distinct visual language, recognizable despite experimentation with new techniques. Recurring rhythmic squiggles across the canvases resemble frozen sound frequencies, suggesting the artist perceives the world through resonance. The deliberate sequencing of the paintings guides viewers through the exhibition as if moving through musical movements.

Texture plays a crucial role, with paint bubbles, thick acrylic ridges, and scratched lines adding a physical dimension. Manandhar views acrylic not just as a medium but as a carrier of emotion. He emphasizes trusting the process, allowing meanings to reveal themselves rather than controlling a predetermined outcome. This philosophy results in paintings that feel like emotional snapshots, moments where feeling has been translated directly onto the canvas.