In his exhibition of paintings, 'Bridges of Love', Netherlands Antilles artist Tony Monsanto explores a wide range of contemporary issues-from the death of Benazir Bhutto to the ethnic melting pot of his home, the beautiful island of Cura?ao in the Caribbean.

There are 20 different paintings on display at the Siddhartha Art Gallery at Baber Mahal, most of which date from the past year. Monsanto mainly uses mixed media, collage and paint, amidst a selection of metaphorical images.

One of the most striking and controversial pieces on display is 'Pregnant Woman', in which a woman in an advanced state of pregnancy stands before a cross while a pig stares out at the viewer. To Monsanto, the piece stands for the irony of the Catholic Church in the Americas and through colonial history.

Monsanto, on his first visit to Nepal, says he has always been mystified by the 'Shangri-La' description of the Himalayan state. In the exhibition, some aspects of his art?such as the circular form of his subjects?resemble those found in Nepali art.

"In my paintings, I aim to make a connection between my hometown Cura?ao and Nepal," he told Nepali Times, "the exhibition is his tribute to the people of Nepal.

The exhibition will run at the Siddhartha Art Gallery till 27 September.