I create art because it lets me be who I am, share what I see, and express what I love unhinged. I use my utmost freedom to create art.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
My favorite type of art to create is photography, which lets me be in the present moment. I have delved into mediums of painting and yet the momentary rush of a split second that photography creates, enthralls me the most. I have to be right there with full consciousness of making it, capturing it. Photography lets me craft moments with what's available, with a spectrum to visualize the real imagination with limitations, but from a different perspective to tell the story. Photography wins for me
Where do you find inspiration?I find my inspiration in the streets of my hometown, the Kathmandu Valley, among dancers, priests, and everyday participants as they navigate joy & grief, faith & fatigue, continuity & change. I have been capturing the vibrancy, spirituality, and identity of a handful of festivals celebrated in the cultural realm of Nepal, where each element is a story in itself. I seek inspiration from all devotees, artists, performers, musicians, and volunteers who transform the streets into a sacred spaces.
What would you do with $25,000?I would be using the money to publish my coffee table photobook that I have designed after the photography exhibition that I did in 2025 about the festivals of Nepal in the Aurora History Museum, Colorado. I am publishing the photobook as an invitation for the world to witness and immerse in the festivals of Nepal. It is a cultural passport & visual pilgrimage into the heart of Nepal’s timeless traditions, living heritage of Nepa Dey: Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, and Lalitpur for international audience
Vote for Youbesh Dhaubhadel to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
