Crafted by Hand,
Rooted in Tradition,
Awakened in Gold
Better with sound 🔊

Newa Art Studio showcases the timeless artistry of Rajesh Shakya, whose mastery in traditional techniques continues to shape Nepali heritage.

Specializing in casting and repoussé metalwork, Rajesh Shakya brings to life intricate statues that reflect both spiritual depth and technical brilliance. His craftsmanship spans a wide range of religious and cultural iconography, with each piece holding historical significance rooted in Newar tradition.

From the delicate precision of inlaying precious metals to hand-carving stone sculptures, the studio reflects generations of inherited skill passed down through the Newa lineage. Shakya’s works are revered not just for their beauty, but for preserving ancient practices rarely seen in contemporary commercial art. His contribution to the field was nationally recognized when he was featured on the cover of *ECS Nepal* magazine, a publication known for celebrating Nepal’s rich cultural legacy.

Newa Art Studio also produces ceremonial items like traditional Sukunda, Pauba frames, and ritual tools that play a central role in festivals, rituals, and daily worship. The studio serves as both a living museum and a creative hub, ensuring that the values, forms, and aesthetics of Newar art continue to thrive for future generations.

Art Viewer Closeup Art Gallery Wall
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Backstory & Craftmanship

Nestled in the vibrant Kathmandu Valley, the birthplace of the Newa artisans, our Yuthok Yönten Gönpo statues are the result of centuries-old metalworking traditions harmoniously intertwined with sacred Himalayan spirituality. This region is famed for its master bronze casters who have preserved and refined their craft across generations, serving kings, monasteries, and devotees alike.

Our journey begins with time-honored wax-carving techniques, where artisans painstakingly sculpt every minute detail by hand. Each figure is molded and cast using the lost-wax process—a delicate and ancient method that yields statues of unparalleled clarity and durability. After casting, the statues are carefully hand-finished by skilled craftsmen, who apply traditional patinas, gold gilding, and hand-painted iconographic accents that bring each form to life with radiant depth and sacred symbolism.

Following the artisanal crafting, selected statues undergo consecration ceremonies led by ordained Buddhist monks. These rituals involve the insertion of mantras, sacred relics, and herbal substances into hollow chambers within the statue, transforming them from physical objects into living embodiments of healing presence. This consecration process, steeped in Vajrayana tradition, empowers the statues to function as spiritual anchors within monasteries, healing clinics, and personal shrines worldwide.

Our commitment to authenticity and reverence means that every statue carries not just the aesthetic beauty of Newa craftsmanship, but also the intangible blessing of lineage transmission. These statues have traveled far beyond the Kathmandu Valley, finding homes in Tibetan medical institutes, Vajrayana retreat centers, and healing spaces across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

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