Sweet Pass Off-Site
Sweet Pass is proud to present Niva Parajuli’s Chin Chin & Muck Muck (2021), the artist's first full scale sculpture and public project. Chin Chin & Muck Muck (whose title is taken from a song) offers a playful and colorful intervention in the “parklet” of the newly constructed 707 Townhomes in West Dallas. Made from pigmented gypsum, fiberglass, and wood; these various organic forms (amoebas, arcs, stumps) are harmoniously arranged in a common space inviting both the solitary and social. Considering the multiple sitelines of the surrounding architecture and the shifting of light throughout the day, Parajuli pulls from a lexicon of forms in his painting practice to provide a dynamic installation for residents and the surrounding community.
In collaboration with Oaxaca Interests and the 707 Townhomes in west Dallas, three artists were awarded a small stipend to propose outdoor public projects to be located in a “parklet” in the courtyard area of the new townhome construction. The selected project will be fabricated with the help of Sweet Pass’ Directors, Trey Burns and Tamara Johnson, with support from Oaxaca Interest, LLC and will remain on view for 8 months, September 2021 - May 2022. Artists selected for the first proposal round are: Analise Minjarez, Niva Parajuli, and Tino Ward. Learn more about the program below.
Aerial view of installation
Detail of "stump" which offers functional seating
About the Artist
Niva Parajuli was born in Kathmandu, Nepal, and currently lives and works in Dallas, TX. He earned
his BFA in Painting from University of Texas Arlington in 2020. His work has been exhibited in
several group and juried shows in the greater DFW area, including Gallery West at The University of
Texas at Arlington, 500X in Dallas, TX, Frost Tower Fort Worth, TX, and Fort Works Art, Fort Worth,
TX. He has collaborated with various artists in Dallas, TX and Fargo, ND to work on public art
murals. In 2021, a solo exhibition of his work was installed at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center.
Currently, Parajuli is an MFA candidate at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas. He is a recent
recipient of the Jones Zelle Grant and Doolin Fund at SMU for the academic year of 2020.
About Sweet Pass Off-Site
Part of Sweet Pass's mission is to to provide financial support, professional development, mentorship, and critical feedback for artists who aspire to work in the public sphere. Leveraging our own experience, we guide artists from proposal to fabrication and installation while providing professional and technical guidance. This off site program allows for artists to approach their first public project through an educational framework and leave them with a toolset to use towards future projects.
Niva & Tamara working in the studio
Armature in process
