Himalayan Confluence: How the Kathmandu Triennale Rewrote Art World Geography

When the Kathmandu Triennale launched its inaugural edition in 2017, few in the global art world anticipated its rapid rise to prominence. Set in a landlocked Himalayan nation better known for its mountaineering tourism than its contemporary art scene, the event faced formidable challenges: minimal infrastructure, limited funding, political instability, and the devastating aftermath of the 2015 earthquake that had claimed nearly 9,000 lives and damaged countless historic structures. Yet within three editions, this upstart triennial has not only survived but thrived, emerging as what ArtAsiaPacific has called "the most significant art event in South Asia" and establishing itself as a vital counterpoint to the Western-dominated biennial circuit.