Born in 1957, Manandhar has been a prominent figure in the contemporary art scene for the past five decades, holding more than 165 solo exhibitions and numerous group exhibitions both in Nepal and abroad. He completed his Master's in Fine Arts at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India. From 2010 to 2014, he served as the Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA).

Kiran Manandhar incorporates elements and forms from early Nepali art into his abstract, abstract expressionist, collage, and performance art. Influenced by the mandalaic structure of paubha paintings, he explores themes of concentration, meditation, and enlightenment through his subjective, plural, and open-ended mandalas.

Artist Statement:

My journey as an artist began the day I realized I was born to be one. My interest gradually blossomed into a creative passion, and I started dreaming of becoming an artist. My childhood aspirations took shape, transforming my sole interest into an inseparable part of my life, work, and creations.

The early days of pursuing my dreams were challenging. I encountered many hurdles and difficulties, driven by a determination to make my dreams come true. From my school days, I fought for this right, defying my parents' wishes for me to become an engineer. My love and passion for art became a rebellion, leading me to seek solace in serene places. This marked the beginning of my grand journey to find an environment conducive to my creations. The satisfaction derived from my art made me realize my deep connection with nature. Nature, my earliest friend in the world of art, remains a constant source of inspiration. Whenever I am alone, I engage in a unique conversation with nature, which holds a place of great importance.

Formal training in fine arts from my respected teachers, the late Chandraman Singh Maskey and Ramananda Joshi, helped me visually transform and polish my dreams into reality. They taught me the basics and the true meaning of art. My works are a tribute to them, and they made me feel the power of art as an act of worship.

My formal education in fine arts began in 1972 at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in India. I earned a degree in fine arts and returned home in 1981. Professors K.S. Kulkarni, R.C. Shukla, and Dilip Das Gupta helped refine my raw impulses into the subtle finesse of visual arts. They are my true inspirers, and I am grateful to them for shaping who I am today. Additionally, artists like William de Kooning, Emile Nolde, Pablo Picasso, Braque, Matisse, Uttam Nepali, and Laxman Shrestha have greatly influenced and motivated me.

Art is my means of expression, capturing the texture of my joy, sorrow, and attitude towards social issues. It reflects my relationship with nature, revealing truth, beauty, peace, and tranquility, which are ever-present in my creations.

I transform my imaginations and feelings into abstract forms. Many people ask about their meanings, but it would be presumptuous to pinpoint a specific meaning. Abstract art, to me, involves delving deep into forms and discovering what may not be easily apparent to everyone. For example, when I see a tree and concentrate on it, I imagine penetrating its roots. While everyone can see the tree’s branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits, I strive to transcend its cognitive reality to uncover its inner beauty. That process is abstract to me.

My journey into the world of art is endless. I feel I have not yet accomplished anything. The culmination of my journey will be when I take my last breath, leaving this world as a complete artist. Until then, I will continue to paint and enjoy the process.

As a member of the Nepali art community, I strongly support the establishment of an institution dedicated to fine arts. I am hopeful that the Lalitkala Fine Art Academy will soon be established, bringing true democracy (Loktantra) for artists.