Alliance Francaise de Kandy presents ‘Harmony in Contrast’ a collection of paintings consisting of collage and mixed media by Artist Prasad Abu Bakr.
Open to the public from July 20 to August 11 – from 10 am to 5 pm daily
“The highlight of this exhibition is the ‘French Collection’ a series of images from photographs by media personality Kumar De Silva taken during his many visits to France, which I have blended into my collage creations - as a tribute to ‘Bastille Day’ –the French National Day to be celebrated today July 14 – And my exhibition will open on the 19th – just four days after the celebrations” says the artist.
This latest collection of work by artist Prasad Abu Bakr comprises pictures depicting buildings and places in both France and Sri Lanka done in the artiste’s most inimitable style, which he developed a couple of years ago – breaking away from his normal skills to draw and paint - for which he had a penchant since his childhood. Prasad started to base his creative exercise in producing pictures composing heavily on mixed media and collage, into which he blended his own photographs of landscape, cityscapes, urban settings and scenery - creating quite a stunning imagery for spectators to enjoy.
Prasad held the first exhibition of his novel collection of work in 2016 in collaboration with Alliance Francaise de Kotte (Colombo) which was well received by the audience. It was ‘a first time’ for them to view the work that had two art forms so impeccably blended - to fit in within one frame. Since then the artist has shown his work in around five solo exhibitions and at group exhibitions such as, Nawa Kalakaruwo and the famous art fare, Kala Pola – both events held annually by the George Keyt Foundation.
As mentioned earlier, ‘Harmony in Contrast’ will also have a set of pictures, which the artist prefers to call ‘The French Collection’ consisting of a set of photographs of France by media personality Kumar De Silva, making it a special event for the artist too, and the first time that he will be including photographs by somebody else in his creative exercise.
Prasad Abu Bakr has exhibited widely since 1995 showing collections depicting his passion towards both, painting and photography at separate exhibitions on both subjects. It was only in the latter stages – after many years of his retirement from his career as a journalist that he discovered his new art form, of combining his passion to paint and the talent to look through the camera lens and capture – bringing both art forms together to fit into one frame, thus creating novel images that won the hearts of viewers and lovers of art, since he brought out the first collection of this new art form in 2016.
‘Harmony in Contrast’ is presented by Alliance Francaise de Kandy, in collaboration with Buddhi Batiks, and held in Partnership with Kumar De Silva and hosted by the Royal Kandyan Hotel