PhotoKTM in collaboration with Jatayu Vulture Restaurant and Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) was pleased to invite 3 artists for a 6-week residency based in Kawasoti, Nawalparasi for PhotoKTM5 Residency Program.

Ajay Narsingh Rana is a wildlife, nature and adventure photographer and videographer. Ajay also writes about nature and conservation on his blog prakritinepal.com as well as for local print media.  

Ajay leads mountain bike trips across the Himalayas, works as a Wilderness First Responder for outdoor events, teaches Wilderness First Aid, works as an Elite National Mountain bike Commissaire for mountain bike races, and is a consultant for mountain bike events and outdoor programs. Ajay has also worked as a Coach for the National Cycling Team in Nepal for almost a decade.

Hillside Projects is an artistic collaboration between Emily Berry Mennerdahl and Jonas Böttern based in Stockholm (SE). Situated within a conceptual framework their work explores tales of disappearances in the natural world and the interrelated socio-political narratives and existential questions that arise through these tales. Their work encompasses site-specific installations alongside lens based works, text, sound, publications as well as walking and performances in different formats.

Jonas Böttern (b.1977 Sweden), completed his MFA in Fine Arts at Konstfack – University of Arts, Crafts and Design, Stockholm in 2016 and has since participated in several postgraduate courses in public art, sound and publishing. Böttern is on the board for the Nordic Art Association and most recently has taken part in residencies and exhibitions at, amongst others, Röda Sten konsthall (SE), Bonniers konsthall (SE), Clark House Initiative (IND) and Dazibao, Montréal (CA).

Nilanjana Nandy (b.1979) is an artist and educator. She draws, makes artist-books and sets up installations for people to collectively experience and exchange ideas. She is interested in gender-based issues, the impact of patriarchy in everyday situations, and in shaping young minds through canonical understanding of concepts. Her art making and teaching practices inform and impact each other.

She has a MA (Painting) from Faculty of Fine Arts, MSU, Baroda. She has been part of artist in residence program at Pepper House Residency, Kochi Muziris Biennale, Sandarbh & Black box Project, Khoj Studios. Her project COVER-UNCOVER was part of Five Million Incidents supported by Goethe Institut & Raqs Media Collective. Her work was presented in exhibitions like Critical Constellations by FICA, Bartered Collections by Mumbai Art Room & CONA & Sarai Reader 09

A video of PhotoKTM5 Residency Program