By Nick Condron
A group of family, friends and admirers gathered yesterday (May 31) to celebrate the opening of Govinda Sah Azad’s new art studio at Manston Business Park in Ramsgate.
The event was inaugurated by His Excellency Chandra Kumar Ghimire, Nepalese Ambassador to the UK, who joined guests in reflecting on Sah’s journey from Nepal to Margate and his contributions to contemporary art.
Sah’s artistic path began in Rajbiraj, Nepal, where his passion for art was evident from a young age. After honing his skills as a sign painter in Delhi, he pursued formal education at the Fine Art College in Kathmandu. His dedication led him to Dhaka for further studies and eventually to London, where he earned an MA in Fine Art in 2008.
Represented by London’s October Gallery, Sah has held multiple solo exhibitions, including “Transcriptions” (2011), “Lightness of Being” (2013), and “Boundless Possibilities” (2016). His most recent exhibition, “Absent Presence,” ran from December 1, 2022, to January 28, 2023, showcasing a new body of large-scale and smaller paintings rendered in oil and acrylic on linen and canvas. These works reflect Sah’s intriguing combination of insights into his local environment and his ongoing metaphysical musings about the nature of reality.
Since relocating to Margate, Sah has drawn inspiration from the coastal landscapes, reminiscent of J.M.W. Turner’s fascination with light and nature. His recent piece, “Mountain to Margate (Sea)” (2024), blends elements of his Nepalese heritage with the Kentish seascape.
The studio opening was not just a celebration of a new workspace but a testament to Sah’s enduring commitment to art as a spiritual and philosophical journey. Attendees expressed admiration for Sah’s ability to bridge Eastern and Western artistic traditions, creating works that resonate on a universal level.
As the sun set over Ramsgate, the gathering symbolized a new chapter in Sah’s career, rooted in community, creativity and a shared appreciation for the transformative power of art.
For more information on Govinda Sah ‘Azad’s work and upcoming exhibitions, including his forthcoming solo show at October Gallery in November 2025, visit the gallery’s website.
@govinda_azad
What does he think of Emin’s dirty bed & is is spiritual? Other than the empty Vodka bottles.
why not do the logical, sensible thing and contact the new gallery to ask them? Or is it easier to be a teenage edgelord?
Haven’t been a teenager for many decades Tracey
Fantastic art style. Love the texture work in their pieces.