A pictorial presentation of an image or a collection of such images is supposed to evoke thoughts, moods and create energy in the minds of the viewers, thus establishing a virtual path of engagement with the presenter, possibly leading to an in-depth analysis and debate, which helps to bring about true value to the presentation. 22nd of June, this year, will be marked as a special day in the calendar of Art as well as Social Responsibility, as the launch of a unique and possibly a first of its kind photographic exhibition of international standing, is to come to light, at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo 7.
Who would have thought of a gift by the wife in advance in celebration of a wedding anniversary, would lead to a busy senior executive in the corporate world take up to serious photography over a short period of a year, challenging the status quo, being a stimulant to the industry and taking part in international competitions of photography around the globe. In the case of Dr. Vickum Senanayake, currently the Group Chief Corporate Officer and CEO of Enterprise Business at EZY Corporation Sri Lanka, that’s exactly how his story line in the life of photography came to be written.
With nearly 500 acceptances of his images in 59 countries, involving 0ver 100 exhibitions which includes 35 circuit exhibitions, in the time span of a period of four years (2012-2016) seems truly remarkable. Crowning glory in the field has been the receiving of “Excellence” FIAP (EFIAP) from the Federation International de l’ArtPhotographique(FIAP), considered the world’s governing body of photography. Vickum is the Country Membership Director and the Country Liaison Officer of the Photographic Society of America (PSA) in Sri Lanka.It seems he has been on a long break from international exhibitions, given the work and family commitments since 2016, and his upcoming photographic exhibition,is bound to mark the relaunch into the next phase of his photographic life.
“Fusion of Moods….the Journey Begins” happens to be Vickum’sfirst solo photographic exhibition, which will be launched on the 22nd of June and be opened for the view of the public on the 23rd and 24th of June, at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery. While his favored stream happens to be nature and wildlife, as the theme suggests, this effort of his will see a collection of images covering many genres, and stands testimony that a picture always evokes energy, color, moments and life, resulting in the formation of a mood in the mind of the photographer and thereafter that in the viewer. In order, to provide the audience a different view and perspective, the selection mostly is, from his travel overseas (as he never travel without his camera even when on business travel), other than the ones in nature and wildlife categories.
This exhibition presentation also coincides with Vickum’s50th Birthday on the 23rd of June, and he felt the need to make it special all round. Being the visionary of his life’s steps, being critically aware of his responsibility to society, he decided to make this event a fund raiser, keeping to a self-invented theme of 50 Years; 50 plus Images; 50 Wheelchairs; in support of the children under the care of the Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation.
“Fusion of Moods…. the Journey Begins”, is bound to be different to all other such exhibitions we have witnessed in the past, and will drive towards creating awareness around the needs of people effected by Cerebral Palsy, while providing the visitors a different view and perspective to engage in a stimulating conversation on the images presented.
It will be three days of celebration, honor, sacrifice and sharing, which should keep the visitors engaged and enthralled in awe. Vickum Welcomes all to be part of his Celebrations and contribution through his photographic presentation; “Fusion of Moods”.