Deepthi Gooneratne’s maiden solo exhibition takes place on October 27 and 29 at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo 7. Over a 100 breathtaking works of art will be on display and 50 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the ‘Little Hearts Project’ at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital run by the College of Paediatricians.
To Deepthi, art is relaxation and self-expression.
‘Colours Transcending’ is a very apt title for the colours which flow from Deepthi’s palette transcends self expression, emotions, nature and beauty to an artistic cohesive on canvas.
Deepthi has been painting for over 30 years and had made use of the Covid-19 enforced indoor incarceration to bring forth many more creations of colour and beauty. This is despite the fact that the pandemic hit her twice. Soon, the walls of her home started to resemble an art gallery. Deepthi’s friends who realised and greatly admired and appreciated her work pushed Deepthi to go solo with a one-woman show, The result – ‘Colours Transcending’.
Art and beauty held a fascination for Deepthi from her childhood and hand in hand with this went her love of nature. Her talents were encouraged by her artistic and creative mother, Adeline Gooneratne. She was Deepthi’s go-to-person in creative matters.
Passion for art
Though she pursued her passion for art and offered it for her GCE Ordinary Level exam, she had no formal training and painted as her emotions and feelings led her.
Everything was ‘grist to her mill’. The curl of a leaf, swaying palms, flowing water – anything could inspire her.
With a vivid imagination she would often imagine the pictures she would bring to life on canvas.
Devika and Mike (Michael) Anthoniz are close friends of Deepthi’s and Mike Amthoniz himself is an exceptional artist whose work Deepthi much admired. Anthoniz advised Deepthi to pursue classes with Dora Aluvihare, a Croatian national domiciled here. But Deepthi hesitated as she did not have the confidence that she would fit into such a class.
In 1992, Deepthi visited popular photographic shop Plate’s and saw Dora Aluvihare conducting a class. Watching her in action, Deepthi decided to join the class as she felt she would find it beneficial.
“I learnt a lot from Dora,“ said Deepthi.
Subsequently, Deepthi also exhibited with Dora.
Brand of creativity
An enthusiastic photographer Deepthi captured a multitude of subjects with her lens. However, she never replicated them on canvas being the uniquely creative artist she is. If she did paint the subjects she captured with her lens, she always infused them with her own brand of creativity. The same went for her classes. If she was asked to copy a subject, she would stamp it with her own brand of creativity.
“I am not a copy artist,“ said Deepthi.
While following the Western art trends and techniques, Deepthi felt a desire to explore the intricacies of oriental art especially the Sri Lankan art forms. She enrolled under renowned Sri Lankan artist Jayasiri Semage. Her painting of the ‘Flute Players’ reflect the Sri Lankan influence on her art.
In 2000, Deepthi left Sri Lanka for the UK accompanying her three children who had entered British universities to read for their degrees. While working and running house, Deepthi found the opportunity to further her studies in art. She followed two excellent courses at St. Martins and discovered the world of Modern Art. She also enhanced her knowledge with visits to museums and art galleries.
Today, Deepthi works with varied mediums such as pastels and water soluble pastels, acrylic, oil and alcoholic ink. “I love working with pastels and apart from that I work a lot with acrylic,” she said.
Owing to the high cost of art materials locally, Deepthi is compelled to import her art materials.
Subject matter
Deepthi’s subject matter fouses largely on nature, with trees and foliage being favourite subjects. Being a keen gardener is also very advantageous for Deepthi.
Fluid painting is a unique form of painting that Deepthi indulges in. No brushes are used except to enhance the paintings. Paint is gently poured onto the canvas and then allowed to flow into each other to create a picture. If needed, enhancing can be done using a brush.
Today, Deepthi’s elder daughter Lahari is a great source of inspiration for her. Lahari’s inspiring inputs help Deepthi to create beauty.
The beautiful creations of Deepthi Gooneratne brings to mind the immortal words of John Keats, “ A thing of beauty is a joy forever.”
Pix by Marlon Karunaratne
