Remembering Thamel: The Colours and Chaos of Kathmandu

Exhibition Title: Remembering Thamel: The Colours and Chaos of Kathmandu, Nepal Sarj Hada invites you to step into a world of colour, movement, memory and organised chaos. Born in Kathmandu into the artistic lineage of the Newar community, Sarj has carried his connection to Nepal through a twenty-year painting journey across countries and cultures. His work explores identity, belonging, memory and the places that shape us. For this exhibition, Sarj turns his attention to Thamel, Kathmandu, a place deeply embedded in his memories and the cultural life of the city. Thamel’s narrow streets and alleys may appear chaotic at first glance, filled with shops, vendors, colourful objects, pedestrians, cafés and countless businesses. Yet within this apparent disorder lies an unmistakable order. Everything has its place. It is an organised chaos, vibrant, layered, crowded and constantly alive. Rather than simply displaying paintings, Sarj transforms the gallery into an environment to be experienced and explored. Works of different sizes, styles and mediums come together across the space, creating layers of colour, texture and imagery that reflect the experience of wandering through Thamel, where something unexpected awaits around every corner. This is not a literal recreation of Thamel, but a recreation of how Thamel lives in Sarj’s memory, its colour, energy, clutter, cultural richness and beautiful chaos. Drawing from his Newar heritage, memories of Kathmandu and experiences of living between cultures, Sarj uses an experimental mixed-media practice to explore the relationship between memory and place. Artist biography: Sarj Hada I am a multidisciplinary artist based in Rotorua, New Zealand. Born in Kathmandu, Nepal, I trace my creative roots to the Indigenous Newar community, a lineage historically renowned for its mastery of art, sculpture, and architecture. My practice is deeply informed by my transnational journey. After spending my first 19 years in Nepal, I lived for 11 years in Australia, where I built my livelihood and found my partner, before eventually settling in New Zealand. I describe my artistic approach as fundamentally experimental. While I have developed several styles over the years, ultimately, “I just do what I do.” This intuitive process draws influence from the raw energy of the Abstract Expressionists and modern masters such as Jackson Pollock, Francis Bacon, Brett Whiteley, and Arthur Boyd, as well as the creative spirit of my family and friends. Balancing a full-time career in education with my creative practice requires discipline, but I remain dedicated to both. My portfolio spans painting, sculpture, and tattooing, and I regularly accept commissions. My work has been showcased in solo exhibitions in Sydney, Auckland, and Rotorua, and I have twice participated in the Vodafone Original Art Sale. Most recently, my work was featured in the Bay of Plenty Artists Exhibition for two consecutive years. I have also twice served as a guest presenter at the Arts Mad Festival. Following a very well-received exhibition at the Waikato Society of Arts in Hamilton in February 2026, I am proud to return as an exhibitor at The Arts Village in October 2026. Today, I proudly identify as Nepalese-born, an Australian citizen, and a Kiwi resident. My work is held in private collections across New Zealand, Australia, the USA, Canada, Singapore, Poland, and Nepal. Sarj's show opens Saturday 3 October 2026 1240 Hinemaru Street The Arts Village