Nepali Photography Exhibition “Nepal Today” Showcases Identity and Social Realities in Italy

A photography exhibition titled Nepal Today: In the Forest, In the Villages has been inaugurated in Lonato del Garda, Italy, featuring works by Nepali photographers Kishor Sharma, Uma Bista, and Sagar Chhetri under the curation of Italian curator Filippo Maggia. The exhibition remains open to the public until August 30, 2026.

The exhibition presents powerful visual narratives from Nepal. Sharma’s Living in the Mist documents the nomadic Raute community over six years, capturing their traditional and autonomous lifestyle. Bista’s Our Songs from the Forest highlights the ongoing practice of Chhaupadi in Achham, where women are still isolated during menstruation despite legal bans. Meanwhile, Chhetri’s Eclipse explores the identity and political struggles of Madhesh, focusing on themes of recognition and border-region tensions along the Nepal–India frontier.

Curator Filippo Maggia emphasizes the growing relevance of photography in the Global South, particularly in Nepal, where emerging artists are addressing themes such as gender, identity, politics, and cultural heritage with strong creative expression. The exhibition catalogue is published by Silvana Editoriale and supported by Italy’s Ministry of Culture under the Strategia Fotografia 2025 programme.