The Sri Lankan Art 2016 exhibition organized by the George Keyt Foundation was held recently at the JDA Perera Galleries, University of Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo. Michael Anthonisz of the George Keyt Foundation, speaking at the preview of the exhibition said, this year there is a very nice array of work in a range of mediums, such as, oils, watercolours, dry pastel, charcoal and pencil work. The Chief Guest, Ken Balendra, also speaking at the event said, it is important to be aware of young artists in Sri Lanka and promote their work.
The notable artists who showcased their work included, Gamini Abeykoon, Sudath Abeysekara, Sampath Amunugama, Tissa De Alwis, B.S.G. Dixon, Noeline Fernando, Channa Ekanayake, Achala Gunawardane, Tissa Hewavitharane, Charita Lay, Kumara Rathnayake, Shanaka Kulathunga, Sanjeewee Senevirathna and Jayantha Silva.
Tissa de Alwis, artist and sculptor, showcased his works titled, “V.O.C. Soldier”, “V.O.C. Soldiers” and “Blue Coats”. Tissa explores his favourite themes of colonization and war through photo paintings of Dutch musketeers in 17th century Ceylon. The photographs were taken by Rohan De Soysa on the Ramparts of the Dutch Fort, in Galle. The figure in the painting is made out of glazed ceramic, wire and plasticine.
The combines make his figures very realistic. He uses a lot of objects and juxtaposes them with wire and plasticine. Tissa explains, the idea is to make them look like paintings, but there is no CGI. He is sceptical about technology and says, “Smartphones are a very insidious influence on the younger generation, but they don’t even realize it. They spend time tweeting and texting and don’t have time for anything else. They don’t look at the sky, the birds or the animals. You have to make them aware of this.”
Tissa also says, a lot of his friends are not sympathetic about his not learning to use a computer and not having a cell phone, but he thinks he is freer because of it.” Tissa was invited to showcase his work at the 400th anniversary of the V.O.C. in Amsterdam in 2002 which was one of the highlights of his career.
Charita Lay exhibited her paintings “Sun Goddess”, “Vibrations” and “Blues”. She explains that her painting “Blues” features a woman playing a guitar in the night. There is a vase and a curtain behind the woman. The shape of the woman is similar to the shape of the guitar.
The medium is oil on canvas. When asked what inspired her to do the painting, Charita says, “It just comes to my mind. It’s mostly about light and shade. When I paint, I don’t think much. It’s spontaneous.”
Charitha says, the younger generation does not appreciate art. She says art enables children to observe things and keep their minds occupied, and laments that the younger generation always uses the computer, and that they should develop their talents in art, music and literature.
Channa Ekanayake’s paintings titled, “The Path of Love” and “Be Still and Know” are on the theme of love. The painting, “The Path of Love” depicts a girl with three birds physically attached to her body. There is a Bo tree which symbolizes the girl going through spiritual maturity, and she allows the birds their freedom. The painting “Be Still and Know” features a girl lying down and keeping still with a serene smile, and she is not worried about other things. Red symbolizes the carnal world and desires, and the tree represents spirituality and the flower, her enlightenment.
Sudath Abeysekara’s painting titled, “Cutting the Ribbon” is done in shades of red and black. He explains, the painting is an abstract expression of the way in which ideas or concepts are formed. Niloufer Peiris, former ballerina and niece of Harry Peiris, who was at the event says, people should talk to the artists and ask them, “What were you thinking about when you did that?” Niloufer teaches ballet and founded the Nelung Arts Centre, which teaches music, dance, drama, mime, painting and design. She deplores that children nowadays are preoccupied with their smartphones, and don’t see anything else, and emphasizes the importance of an arts education in the holistic development of a child.
Pictures by Sudam Gunasinghe