Lujan Rai Dongol is a 23-year-old visual artist and storyteller from Kathmandu. Raised in a Rai/Newar household in the historic areas of Kathmandu and Patan, he grew up surrounded by traditional art forms. Lujan creates expressive pieces using mixed media on both traditional canvases and unconventional surfaces. His work deeply reflects his cultural heritage, incorporating traditional motifs and spiritual symbolism with a modern funk that feels original to his persona. Themes in his art are mostly deeply personal and introspective, often crafted with a concern for beauty and aesthetic harmony, while also inviting spiritual musings and social commentary. Previously, Lujan has been involved in Kaalo.101 through exhibitions and projects like RIOT!, RIFFRAFF, Young artist show Mcube and the Dalit Lives Matter murals. He also facilitates art workshops, practices tattoo art, and explores various forms of artistic expression including cinematography, photography, and music.
As a painter, I find inspiration in the mundane world – the movies I watch, the songs I listen to, and even the simple moments of daily life. I consider myself an observer of aesthetics and emotions, capturing the essence of my experiences through vibrant colors that bring my concepts to life. My work isn’t confined to traditional mediums like color and canvas; I’ll use whatever feels right, whether it’s a piece of fabric or an old cardboard. In this series, I aim to express my free self, my happy places, and my true subconscious, using bold, energetic hues to convey the depth of my emotions. My philosophy is that all we have to offer in this world devoid of meaning is our own self, our own views, colors, and meanings. Only by being true to myself can I create something original and worthwhile. Hence, I approach my art as a practice of self-reflection. I have experienced great losses early in life and have struggled to find my place in the world. Hence, in art, I fetch the emotions I’ve held onto or am currently experiencing through introspection and deliver them through motifs that feel fit. Space, for example, is a lonely town I visit often, as is the simian explorer from my BAADAR series. But art is also about beauty; visual satisfaction is one of my priorities. I practice my skill for aesthetics primarily with graffiti. Working walls demand capacity for symmetry, precision, color, and patience. I enjoy the process to perfection and try to bring beauty and synchronicity to all my works. So, I also find my art reflects the cross-cultural beauty and influences I have acquired from my family. Being born into two different but artistically rich cultures has nourished my taste for indigenous ideas, aesthetics, and storytelling. This shows in my work as I like to honor deities, recall symbols, play with patterns, and invite traditional styles (currently, Newari Paubaha and Tibetan thangka).
