Arjun Khaling

Arjun Khaling (born in Juving-6, Solukhumbu in 1975) was a Nepali contemporary artist, painter, and BFA gold medalist celebrated for blending Kirat cultural identity with modern artistic expression. Belonging to the Kirat community of eastern Nepal, he completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Tribhuvan University’s Fine Art College and also received artistic training from Nepa Gallery and the Renesha Institute of Fine Art. He has participated in may group art exhibition, taught in various schools and has judged many art programs. The selected group exhibition he has participated in art exhibition at khulla Manch, Kathmandu 2052 B.S., National Art and Craft Exhibition org. by NAFA, exhibition org. by Renesha Institute of fine Art 2056 B.S. and 2057 B.S., exhibition org. by Nepal water color society 2063 B.S., exhibition at Space and Cell Kwang Gallery, South korea 2063 B.S., New Expression on The Block org. by Siddhartha Art Gallery 2068 B.S.

Khaling’s paintings were widely recognized for their vibrant colors, symbolic imagery, and strong socio-political themes. His artworks often reflected the lifestyle, beliefs, and identity of indigenous communities while also presenting contemporary social realities. Beyond painting, he was actively involved in promoting indigenous representation through art and cultural activism. He was also associated with the establishment of the Kirat Lalitkala Samaj, an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Kirat artistic traditions. Arjun Khaling remains an influential figure in Nepal’s contemporary art scene, remembered for connecting creativity, culture, and social awareness through his work.

Arjun Khaling passed away in December 2016 at the age of 41. His death was widely mourned by art lovers, buyers and writers, who remembered him as a visionary painter who connected creativity, indigenous identity, and social awareness through his art.