Life Stories

About KK Karmacharya

Word is a powerful tool to express emotions. But says American realist painter and printmaker Edward Hopper, “If you could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint.” And, when we come closer to an eminent artist of Nepal Mr. KK Karmacharya’s work, we must agree on that.

He is one of the rare artists who has worked in all the mediums. His technique, perspective, style, and themes are always unique. But his journey wasn’t an easy walk. When he was in his childhood and was fascinated by colors, but was discouraged by his family. Because art was not considered a good choice to acquire in those days.

KK was born to a lower-middle-class family in Kathmandu. His childhood was full of struggle and interesting stories. “My life has many stories,” says KK, “story of my birth, my notorious and mischievous nature during my childhood, my very little interest in studies, my first school admission, my realization of copied creations, my experiment with new forms of expressions; collage, my teachers, mentors, my graphic works, contemporary art, my 35 years life in civil service and many more.”

Painting is KK’s forte but his skills are not limited to canvas. He finds different forms to express his creativity in paper, wood, and stone. His efficient and skillful work finds its way in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pestle, pen and ink, and even mixed media. He breaks the rule in many of his creations and searches for a new way to express unique findings. Which, makes his work an exceptional creation.

KK has not showcased his works much. He has just six solo exhibitions in his account including abroad. His first exhibition was held in 1971. He has worked as a stamp designer in the postal service department of Nepal for 35 years and designed 407 stamps. His fine works of illustration are published in 58 children’s books in Nepal. He is a teacher of art, an activist to promote Nepali art, a coordinator to bond artists, and a recipient of many national awards.

He has visited several districts of Nepal and travelled to India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland to showcase his paintings and learn art and culture. He has been serving as a chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts since 2018.

Experience

• Chancellor,  Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, 31 Dec, 2018-2022
• Member Secretary, Nepal Academy of Fine Art, 2010-14
• Assembly Member,  Royal Nepal Academy in 2004-7
• President, Artist’s Society of Nepal, Kathmandu from 2006-2015
• Vice-president of Children’s Literatue and Research Centre from 2009-13
• Vice-president of Nepal Society of Children’s Literatue from 2009-13
• Member of Nepal Association of Fine Art (NAFA) 1965 – 72.
• Member of Artist’s Circle, Kathmandu 1979 – 1999.
• Executive member of Artist Society of Nepal (ASON) 1987 – 91.
• Life Member of Nepal Children’s Literature and Research Center, from 1998
• Postage Stamps Designer- (designed 407  postage  stamps of  Nepal)
• Illustrator and Freelance Graphic Designer- (illustrated for 57 books of children literature, so many posters, paper Ads., Book covers and so on.)
• Prepared artistic impression of bronze statue of the future Maitriya Buddha,152.4 meters (500 fts) height and park for the Maitriya Project, building on the holly ground of  B0dh Gaya (Kushinagar) in India
• Designed the life size statue of artist Arniko, installed in Beijing China,
• Prepared design and structure of three life size bronze statue of Kavi Shiromani Lekhnath Paudel , Natyasamrat Balakrishna Sama and Mahakavi Laxmiprasad Devkota (Tree-Murti), installed at Sanchar Gram, Tilganga, Nepal

Exhibitions

• One Man Show of Painting at NAFA, Kathmandu in 1971
• One Man Show of Painting at J. Art Gallery, Kathmandu in 1995
• One Man Show of Painting at Hardtberg Town Hall of Bonn, German in 2000
• One Man Show of Painting “NEPAL-TAG 2000” at Bonn-Bad Godesberg, German in  May, 2000
• One Man Show of Painting “100 Images of Nepal” at Space Cell Gallery of Seoul, Korea in July 2005
• One Man Show of Painting “Images of Seoul” at Kwang Gallery of Seoul, Korea in September 2005
• Group Show of 5 artists “Nepal Art Group” Seoul, Korea in 1995 ……….