Interview with IMAGINE as conveyed to Tori Weston.
IMAGINE (aka Sneha Shrestha) is a Nepali artist who paints mindful mantras in her native language and meshes the aesthetics of Sanskrit scriptures with graffiti influences. Being the first to mesh Nepali Alphabets w
ith American graffiti, she has shown her work in several exhibitions, commissioned works and public walls around the world from Boston to Kathmandu. Her show “Mindful Mandalas” was recently on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Sneha has collaborated with international companies like Reebok, Neiman Marcus and Red Bull. Shrestha’s work is held in the private collections of Facebook, Google, Capital One, and Fidelity Investments.
Sneha is also an educator and social entrepreneur. She established Nepal’s first Children’s Art Museum to provide a creative space where children and youth can develop 21st century skills through project based art experiences.
Sneha received her Master’s degree from Harvard University. During her time at Harvard, Sneha explored effective leaderships in education and the intersections of creativity, learning and technology. Besides painting larger than life murals and paintings, Sneha passionately supports Asian art by working as the Arts Program Manager at Harvard’s Mittal South Asia Institute.
At what age did your creative journey begin?
Ever since i can remember, I have loved coloring and painting so I would say since forever!
Who or what inspires your work?
My Nepali culture.
Are there any topics or themes that continue to appear in your work?
Yes, I use my native letters as the subject of my work.
How has COVID-19 affected your work?
Murals have been postponed for now on one hand but on the other hand, I now have the time I need to focus on studio work.
How does one find your work?
www.imagine876.com and instagram @imagine876
More Artists of the Month from 2020
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About the Artist of the Month
This program is inspired by the Nave Gallery’s “Featured Artist” program, which ran from 2005 to 2009.
SAC’s Artist of the Month program is a way for us to celebrate the enormous wealth of talent in our city, by shining a spotlight on a different creative Somervillian each month.
This program has been put together by a whole raft of people: Coordinators Jenn Harrington (2013-2014) and Kellie Veiga (2013), Gilmore Tammy (2017) and Somerville Arts Council board members Matt Kaliner, Tim Devin, Valeria Amato, and Michael J. Epstein, Bill House (2019-2020), Charan Devereaux (2019-2025), Tori Weston (2019-2025) and Andrea Read (2022-2025). Current coordinators, are Kerrie Kemperman (2019-), Seth Garcia (2025-), and Ben Cuba (2026-).
Know of a great Somerville based artist who should be recognized, please nominate the artist for consideration. We seek artists who contribute to the community through their strong work and community collaborations. Artist should either reside in the City or contribute to the City’s vibrant art scene.