Bhutan, the Thunder Dragon kingdom or the last “Shangri-La”, isolated from the modern world for centuries (even now) is very rich in natural beauties, arts and culture. The kingdom in the eastern Himalayas has many ethnic people, but the Nepali-speaking people from southern Bhutan along with some from East were force fully evicted from the country in early 1990s. As a result of which, over a hundred thousand people became Refugee and had to live in refugee camps, set-up by UN- agencies in eastern part of Nepal. Since then, some young art-loving minds started learning and sharing of art under the shed of “Sal” trees in Bhutanese Refugee camp Goldhap, Jhapa, Nepal which the group was called as PRALHAD-BAL ART under their own initiation. Drawing on earth, sketches with broken stubs of pencil and squeezed green leaves as color on the outer cover of the note copies were their beginnings, for which they had to struggle for managing the basic required materials out of the same share of the daily hand to mouth needs. Later, had opportunity for designing of posters, pamphlets, banners, boards, paintings and various art contests awards were their motivations.
Finally, in 25th Dec. 1994 A.D INSTITUTE of FINE ART and COMMERCIAL ART – BHUTAN (IFACA BHUTAN) was established by those young Bhutanese Refugee artists’, Mr. Pralhad Gurung, Mr. Bal Bahadur Rai and Mr. Bharat Gurung. Since then, INSTITUTE of FINE ART and COMMERCIAL ART- BHUTAN (IFACA BHUTAN) started running fine arts classes in Bhutanese Refugee camps situated in Jhapa and Morang, Nepal. This institute aims to impart the knowledge of fine-arts to the young generations, helps young Refugee children to express their feels and restarted their new life, (the first we ever had in Refugee camps) under the trees with limited materials, now eventually moved to CARITAS built school.
At the end of year 2007, some of our institute Institute of Fine Art and Commercial Art Bhutan IFACA BHUTAN founders, members, students, parents and supporters had been resettling in different parts of world. This become a good way to grow internationally connecting artists from east to west sharing each and individuals feelings through the medium of fine arts a true language of NATURE. Now our great group has been from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, New Zea land and United States of America including India, Nepal and Bhutan. The great responsibility had come to our great group to save nature and make known nature to every individuals living beings in this beautiful planet earth. This group will visual those living beings problems which is hidden in our poor country side, most probably the refugees problems, orphans, street children, elderly peoples, homeless, human trafficking, saving insects, birds and animals along with natural resources. Not only drawings and paintings those images, but loving and Sharing knowledge of nature for every living beings in this universe as “art is the universe language of the nature(god)” and boon of the nature (god). The fine arts as a religious way to be peace and harmony making our living beings minds, hearts and souls in heaven.
At the end of year 2007, some of our institute Institute of Fine Art and Commercial Art Bhutan IFACA BHUTAN founders, members, students, parents and supporters had been resettling in different parts of world. This become a good way to grow internationally connecting artists from east to west sharing each and individuals feelings through the medium of fine arts a true language of NATURE. Now our great group has been from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, New Zea land and United States of America including India, Nepal and Bhutan. The great responsibility had come to our great group to save nature and make known nature to every individuals living beings in this beautiful planet earth. This group will visual those living beings problems which is hidden in our poor country side, most probably the refugees problems, orphans, street children, elderly peoples, homeless, human trafficking, saving insects, birds and animals along with natural resources. Not only drawings and paintings those images, but loving and Sharing knowledge of nature for every living beings in this universe as “art is the universe language of the nature(god)” and boon of the nature (god). The fine arts as a religious way to be peace and harmony making our living beings minds, hearts and souls in heaven.
