Biography - Manish Lal Shrestha
Manish Lal Shrestha: Leading Contemporary Artist and Curator of Nepal
Manish Lal Shrestha is a highly recognized multi-disciplinary contemporary visual artist and curator based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Artistic Vision and Practice
Shrestha is widely recognized for his work in performance art, installation, painting, and conceptual practice. Consequently, he stands as a key figure in Nepal’s early postmodern art movement. After graduating from Sir J. J. School of Fine Art, Mumbai (2001), Shrestha established a distinct visual language. This unique approach is deeply rooted in material experimentation and the urban experience of Kathmandu. Over more than two decades, this practice has shaped a strong artistic identity, making him one of Nepal’s leading creative voices.
Global Recognition and Solo Exhibitions
Shrestha boasts a highly active practice, featuring 20 solo exhibitions to date. Moreover, he has actively participated in numerous international workshops, residencies, and contemporary art programs across Europe, Asia, and the United States. His artworks have gained international prominence, being featured in major global platforms:
More recently, he was part of the prestigious Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now at the Rubin Museum of Art (2024), with the exhibition continuing at Wrightwood 659, Chicago (2025).
Throughout his distinguished career, he has received significant accolades, specifically the National Fine Arts Award (2011) and the Australian Himalayan Art Award (2018).
Fostering Nepal's Art Ecosystem at Gallery Mcube
Beyond his studio work, Shrestha plays a pivotal role in shaping Nepal’s contemporary art ecosystem. As a result of his dedication, he serves as the Founder Director and Curator of Gallery Mcube in Lalitpur. In this capacity, he directs the AIR_MCUBE International Artist Residency, curatorial exhibitions, and global exchange programs. These initiatives actively nurture and support both emerging and established artists.
His influential curatorial portfolio includes major national and international platforms:
Himalayan Art Festival 2018
- First Yanjiao Biennale 2020, China
National Exhibition of Fine Arts 2021 (NAFA)
Thus, through these impactful curatorial efforts, he consistently expands contemporary art discourse, encourages collaboration, and significantly strengthens Nepal’s presence in the international art landscape.
Curriculum Vitae
DATE OF BIRTH: 12th November, 1977
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
- B F A, Sir J.J School of Art, Mumbai University, Mumbai, 2001
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
- The Thread Project, Gallery Mcube, 2025
- Borderless Border, NY20+ Artist in Residency Exhibition 2024, NY20+, Chengdu, China
- Project 1336, Huge Public Procession at Patan Durbar Square, Nepal, 2024
- Project 1336 – Object in Focus and Huge Public Procession to Boudhanath Stupa, Taragaon Museum, 2019
- Seto Chapal | The White Slippers, Public Performance at Indra Chowk, Kathmandu,
Nepal, 2018 - Sirani:The Headrest, Australian Himalayan Award Exhibition, Siddhartha Art Gallery,
Babarmahal Revisited, 2018 - Sound of Existence, Dalaila Art Space, 2018
- Tapestry Project, Waley Art, Taipei, Taiwan, 2017
- Project 1136, Kathmandu Triennale 2017, Nepal Art Council, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2017
- Nepali Pasal, Asia Kula Kula Ring, Asia Culture Center, Gwangju, South Korea, 2016
- From 2007 to 2011, Sheetal Garden Gallery, Kathmandu, 2011
- Interactive Site-Specific Art Exhibition, Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture premise, Karachi, Pakistan, 2008
- Sound of Nostalgia, Interactive solo art show, Newa Chhen, Lalitpur, Nepal, 2007
- Sound of Wisdom, Chautara Art Gallery, Almere, Holland, 2006
- Vibes I, Institution les Esserts, Cugy, Switzerland, 2005
- Vibes, Gallerie Giovanetti, Lausanne, Switzerland, 2005
- Collective reverberation, Gallery 9, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2005
- Sound of existence, Café Mitra, Kathmandu Nepal, 2004
- Sound of existence, Mithila Art Gallery, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2004
- Sound of Hope, Gallery 9, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2004
- Sound of Intimacy II, Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2004
- Sound of Intimacy, Siddhartha Art Gallery, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2003
- Sound of Silence, Sirjana Contemporary Art Gallery, 2002
WORKSHOPS/ ARTIST IN RESDENCIES
- RAI 2025, Pahang, Malaysia
- Kathmandu International Art Festival 2024, Taragaon Next, Nepal
- Trans Studio Project 4.0, Bikalpa Art Center, 2019
- Urban Implosion, ACC Arts Space Network, Gwangju, Korea, 2017
- Artist in Residence and exchange program, Waley Art, Taipei, Taiwan, 2017
- Artist in Residence, Changdong Artist Studio, MMCA, South Korea, 2014
- VASL Artist Residency, Karachi, Pakistan, 2008
- Visiting Lecturer for 3rd year BFA Students, Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Karachi, Pakistan, 2008
- Organized Naya Awazharu, Two Months Local Residency Program for young upcoming Artist, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2007
- Kalavart International Art festival and Artist’s camp, Ujjain, India 2006
- Coordinated Sutra International Artists Workshop, Patan Durbar Square, Nepal, 2006
- Lalitkala Loktantrik Aviyan, Gurukul, Nepal, 2006
- Theertha International Artists Collective, Kandy, Srilanka, 2006
- Khulla Dhoka Artists Workshop, Siddhartha art Gallery, Babarmahal Revisited, Nepal,
2006 - Sutra Local Artist workshop Pokhara, Intl’ Mountain Museum, Nepal, 2006
- Uttishtha, the new beginning- Sutra, Osho Tapoban, Nepal, 2005
- Nuga Mikha International Artist Workshop- Sutra, Bhaktapur, Nepal, 2004
- Coaxing the Nature- Sutra, Osho Tapoban, Nepal, 2003
- Bichalit Bartaman, Basantapur, 2002
GROUP EXHIBITIONS (SELECTED)
- Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now, Wrightwood 659, Chicago, USA, From 8th Nov. 2024 to 15th Feb. 2025
- Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now, Rubin Art Museum, New York City, 2024
- Himalayan Art Festival 2018- 2025, Nepal Art Council
- Kathmandu International Performance Festival 2019, Organized by Bindu
- A Stitch in Time, The 4th Today’s Documents, Today Art Museum, Beijing, China,
2019 - Vertical Wave, created for Sea of Heartbreak, Busan Biennial Sea Art Festival 2019,
Busan, South Korea, 2019 - Chha, Gallery Mcube, Nepal, 2019
- Sirjana 2019, Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal, Nepal, 2019
- 14th Gongju International Art Festival, LimLip Art Museum, Gongju, South Korea, 2017
- Kathmandu Triennale 2017, Nepal Art Council, 2017
- The Speed of the Contemporary, Gallery Mcube, 2015
- Global Village (Abcoudel/ Landshut/ Brondby Strand), 2014
- Rebirth, Performing Art, Bikalpa Art Center, Nepal, 2014
- I’m almost in Depression due to Load Shedding, God Please Rescue Nepal, Performance Art at Sarwanam Theatre, December, 2013
- Arts of Nepal, the Art Center Highland Park, Illinois, USA, March- April, 2012
- Future of History, Park Gallery, Nepal March, 2011
- Two Men Show, Gerance Publiaz, Renens Switzerland from 16th September 2010 to 7th January, 2011
- Asian Art Biennale, Bangladesh from 8th October to 6th November, 2010
- Two Men show, Gerance Publiaz, Renen, Switzerland, 2010
- Propagation, Siddhartha Art Gallery, Nepal, 2010
- International Art Festival, Patan Museum, Nepal, 2009
- The Mystical Odysseys, Four Men Grand Art Exhibition, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, India, 2009
- Operation Heartbeat, Embassy of Japan, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, India, 2008
- Friends of Bagmati, Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2007
- Bells -Silence and sounds, Three Men Show, Gallery 32@ Dent-inn, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2007
- Two men Show, Chautara Gallery, Almere, Holland, 2006
- Group Exhibition Gallerie Giovanetti, Lausanne, Switzerland, 2004
- Two men Show “Situation” Times bank Hall, Mumbai, India, 2000
CURATORIAL PROJECTS
- Retrospective Exhibition of Ragini Upadhyaya (1978-2025), Bihar Museum, Patna, India, 2025
- One World, International Print Exchange Program, IPEP India, 2022
- Re-Interpretation, The Nanee, Bhaktapur, Nepal, 2022
- National Exhibition of Fine Arts 2021, Nepal Academy of Fine Arts, Naxal, Nepal
- Co-Curated First Yanjiao Biennale 2020, China
- Made in Mind Series II, Experimental Video Art Project, Gallery Mcube 2020 with 52
artists from 13 countries. - AIR_MCUBE International Artists Residency since 2011 at Gallery Mcube
- Himalayan Art Festival 2018, Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal, Nepal
AWARDS
- Australian Himalayan Art Award 2018
- National Fine Art Award, Nepal Academy of Fine Art, Nepal, 2011
- 2nd Prize, 35th National Exhibition, NAFA, Nepal, 2005
- 3rd Prize, 34th National Exhibition, NAFA, Nepal, 2004
- 2nd Prize, Landscape competition, Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, India, 2000
ASSOCIATED WITH
- Founder Director, Gallery Mcube, Nepal
- Founder Director / Curator, AIR_MCUBE International Artists’ Residency Nepal
- Trustee of Sirjana College of Fine Arts, Kathmandu, Nepal
COLLECTION
- Australia, Austria, Denmark, Canada, Croatia, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Malaysia, The Netherlands, France, USA, UK, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, India, South Korea and
many private collections in Nepal.