“I hope to inspire and guide the next generation of artisans and guitar makers”.
My name is Lhakpa Lova. I am a woodcrafter, a luthier, an artist, and a photographer. My artistic journey began at a young age of 12 when I discovered a passion for sketching and painting. In 2012, I met with Dr. Maurice, a guitar luthier from Australia whose expertise ignited my interest in the amazing world of guitar crafting. Under his guidance, I delved deep into the study of various woods suitable for crafting guitars. A year of dedicated exploration laid the foundation for my future endeavours.
Later, I immersed myself in the art of guitar crafting, joining the Maurice Paul guitars team. Amidst the creative process, I noticed an abundance of unused wood. Determined not to let this resource go to waste, I came up with this idea to experiment- transforming these scraps into exquisite earrings and rings. So, I began to practice carving these scraps into small jewelleries and kept practicing. What began as a casual hobby soon turned out into a blazing passion.
As my skills evolved, I experimented with different textures and materials. Wood remained the cornerstone of my designs, but I incorporated elements like stone, copper, and silver to add depth and uniqueness to my pieces. In 2018, I encountered with ‘The Local Project Nepal’ who opened doors to a wider audience, providing a platform to showcase and sell my work.
By the end of 2017, I had already made plans to work overseas. With high hopes, I headed to Kathmandu and applied for a visa to one of the European countries. All I hear after six months of awaiting is the news of my visa denial. My plans were dashed. Despite the circumstances, I continued my passion for making different types of jewellery.
Soon, I also got opportunities to showcase my creations at Kathmandu's art market. The positive response from customers fuelled my determination, transforming a hobby into a thriving profession.
Beyond jewellery, photography become another artistic outlet for me. In 2015, as I was slowly recovering from the accident where I cut my finger with a bandsaw, I returned to the workshop after a few days of rest. My boss assigned me a simple task: to take pictures of guitars and guitar-making process. As I started clicking, I quickly realized how much I loved it. This newfound interest led me to learn more about photography through online materials. I continued my photography skills in my job as a trek guide, capturing beautiful images of mountains, landscapes and people. This journey provided ample opportunities to hone my skills and share my visual narratives.
Looking ahead, I aspire to share my knowledge and passion with others. I am planning to organise training programs for jewelry-making to empower aspiring artisans. Additionally, I am committed to crafting exceptional acoustic and classical guitars, aiming to reach both domestic and international markets. Just as Dr. Maurice mentored me, I hope to inspire and guide the next generation of artisans and guitar makers.
This journey, marked by challenges and triumphs, has shaped me into the artist I am today. With gratitude for the experiences and support I've received; I look forward to creating and sharing my art with the world.