The Patan Museum will host a special exhibition showcasing Nepal’s traditional Thangka and Paubha paintings, with a private preview on May 15 and public viewing from May 16 to 17.
The “Thangka and Paubha Art Exhibition,” to be organized by the Himalayan Art Council, aims to honor Nepal’s sacred painting traditions while introducing a new digital initiative to safeguard and promote these artworks globally. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Patan Museum on Tuesday, May 13.
The council said the May 15 event, scheduled from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, will host collectors, artists, scholars, and technologists for a special reception. The exhibition will officially open to the public the following day at the same venue, located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Patan Durbar Square.
Among those speaking at the press conference were Nabin Khanal, founding member of the Council; Meena Lama, curator; Kailash Shrestha, artist; and Sean Howell, a technology expert.
Kailash Shrestha emphasized the importance of the exhibition in promoting Nepali artists, who are increasingly seeking opportunities abroad due to a lack of recognition in their home country, a situation he described as disheartening.
The exhibition will feature more than 50 original Thangka and Paubha artworks created by some of Nepal’s most respected masters alongside emerging voices in Himalayan art. According to the organisers, the event marks the beginning of a national campaign to preserve, authenticate, and elevate Nepali art through the fusion of tradition and technology.
“This exhibition marks the first step in a long journey—to ensure that Nepali art is not only seen, but truly understood, protected, and remembered,” the Council said in a statement. “It is the coming together of artists, scholars, and stewards who recognise that the preservation of Nepal's artistic heritage is not a luxury, it is a responsibility.”
In parallel with the exhibition, the Himalayan Art Council will launch a digital platform aimed at protecting and elevating Nepali art using artificial intelligence, expert verification, and blockchain technology.
For collectors and institutions, the platform offers secure digital certificates and provenance tracking across borders and generations. Artists will benefit from AI-driven tools capable of detecting forgeries, identifying works (even unsigned), and ensuring proper attribution. Scholars and the public will gain access to searchable archives, translated inscriptions, and interactive guides that unlock the deeper meanings behind each piece.
The initiative also seeks to make Nepali art more accessible to a global audience through translations, educational resources, and digital storytelling tools.
“This is a collaborative effort among artists, technologists, and cultural leaders—a shared commitment to preserve, honour, and expand the global presence of Nepali art,” the Council said.
The Himalayan Art Council is a cultural institution dedicated to preserving and promoting the artistic heritage of Nepal and the Himalayan region. Through physical and digital certification, international exhibitions, and transparent tracking systems, the Council aims to build trust between artists, collectors, and institutions while safeguarding authenticity and cultural value.
