LocationsBeating the Plastic: From Pollution to Expression
June 20, 2025
On the eve of World Environment Day 2025, Bagmati Hall at the Nepal Art Council became more than just an exhibition space. It was it transformed into a hub space for reflection, resistance, and renewal. In a powerful collaboration between UNDP Nepal and Sushila Arts Academy, the two-day exhibition titled “Beating the Plastic: From Pollution to Expression” brought together artists of all ages to confront one of the planet’s most urgent challenges: plastic pollution.
The vibrant collection of artworks-paintings brought together a rich blend—showcasing a range of styles and voices—from stories, each offering a unique lens on nature and our relationship with it. From serene mountain landscapes to bold abstract expressions—each offering a glimpse into nature and our relationship with it. Together, they invited viewers to reflect on both the beauty and fragility of the natural world.
Inaugurating the event, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra, Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, emphasized the vital role of children in leading the campaign against plastic and putting an end to plastic use. Their ability to inspire long-term change, he noted, must not be underestimated.
UNDP Resident Representative for Nepal, Ms. Kyoko Yokosuka, described art as a powerful medium for raising awareness and shared her delight in partnering for the exhibition. She noted that the event was part of a broader campaign to end plastic waste—by promoting awareness, behavior change, and sustainable practices. She reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to adopting and sharing best practices in plastic waste management, supporting policy reform, and working with all stakeholders to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
One young artist captured this urgency with a striking painting of Mount Everest—one half cloaked in snow, the other buried under plastic waste. “This is our home. We do not want Everest to be snowless,” she said. Her words echoed the concern and conviction of a generation.
Ahead of the opening, UNDP Nepal’s climate influencer, Mr. Nima Rinji Sherpa, visited Sushila Arts Academy, where students had spent over a week preparing their work. Nima shared his first-hand experiences from the mountains, speaking about the rapid glacier melt, the plastic waste accumulating at high altitudes, and how rising temperatures are reshaping the Himalayas. He also highlighted emerging solutions, including the use of drones to clean up the Everest Base Camp. But above all, he encouraged students to see their voices as powerful tools for climate action. The visit concluded with an engaging Q&A, where students asked thoughtful questions and discussed how climate change is affecting their communities.
What followed were vivid, deeply felt artworks filled with colour and urgency. These weren’t just school projects. They were declarations—visions of a future worth fighting for. One standout piece depicted a traditional mountain scene with a yak in the foreground. But on closer inspection, the entire landscape had been pieced together from discarded candy wrappers and food packaging—transforming waste into a bold artistic statement.
Yulia Koirala, Founder of Sushila Arts Academy, emphasized the role of creativity in environmental advocacy. She thanked UNDP for the partnership, which allowed young artists to link their work with sustainability goals and broader community engagement.
“Beating the Plastic” was more than an exhibition. It was a mirror—reflecting the consequences of our everyday choices—and a call to action. These young artists didn’t just turn waste into expression; they challenged us to confront plastic not just as pollution, but as a problem we can no longer ignore. Their message was clear: change begins with awareness, and the responsibility to act belongs to all of us.
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