Nepali artist Shrestha to showcase 'Chhyaki' at Venice Biennale collateral exhibition

The Kathmandu Post is proud to highlight the significant international achievement of Nepali visual artist Jyoti Shrestha, who is set to exhibit her work at the prestigious Venice Biennale.

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My mother calls both of us Chhyaki,” Shrestha told the Post, “to represent that we are both ugly people.

Shrestha's inclusion in the 'Personal Structures' exhibition, a collateral event of the 61st Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition, marks a growing recognition of contemporary Nepali artistic voices on the global stage. This event, running from May 9 to November 22, 2026, is a testament to the burgeoning talent emerging from Nepal.

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Through this work, I have explored this weird dynamic between my parents, especially my mother, and me.

Her photography collection, 'Chhyaki,' delves into profound themes of identity, memory, and the inherited burdens of shame and societal perceptions, particularly concerning body image. The term 'Chhyaki,' meaning scars from skin diseases, is reclaimed by Shrestha to challenge notions of ugliness and explore intergenerational dynamics within families and cultures. This deeply personal exploration resonates with a local context, reflecting on how such perceptions are internalized and passed down.

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When I think of it now, it fills me with guilt because there is almost nothing we can do.

While Shrestha expresses pride in her international recognition, her sentiment that she is undertaking this journey "alone" without government support underscores a persistent challenge for Nepali artists. The Kathmandu Post believes that such international exposure is crucial for the growth of Nepal's art scene, and it is imperative that national institutions provide the necessary backing to nurture and promote homegrown talent on a global platform. This exhibition is not just a personal triumph but a significant moment for Nepali art itself.

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I am proud to be exhibiting my work in the collateral exhibition of the Venice Biennale,” says Shrestha. “But somehow, without the government’s support, I feel like I am alone in this journey.