ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP

Dating back to time immemorial, Newar wood carvings commonly appear in the crossbeams of houses, door and window frames, as well as in furniture. The motifs used are often iconic, following a standard representation. Various types of flowers, clouds, and other elements in nature, as well as spiritual symbols, all have a style in which they must be drawn, and so becoming an expert carver means mastering a vast repertoire of motifs and designs. 

Although wood carving is not a religious art, but because Newar culture is so linked with Hinduism and Buddhism, many of the popular motifs do have a spiritual significance. Among the most common symbols to be carved is the ashtamangala or Eight Auspicious Symbols. These are also the first designs that any beginning student learns to make.