Arts
‘Every day’ gets a fresh look
The brown owl stares back at you quizzically. Its expression more akin to a glare makes you want to quickly apologise for invading its space. While owl shots are common from exhibitions to postcards and bookmarks, it was the perfectly timed capture of the legendary bird that makes this photograph Kavindra Amaratunga’s favourite.
“I actually took it at the Zoo,” the young photographer laughs and of course, when Kavindra holds his very first exhibition titled “Eclipse” next weekend, the owl will be up there. It was Kavindra’s spontaneous click of the Dehiwala Zoo’s feathered resident that gave him a signal of the path he should follow. “I knew that this was the line I had to be in,” he says. Till then, his only experience with a camera was random shots taken walking around Colombo with a few friends as they experimented with one of the group’s new camera.
Following his education at St. Thomas’ Preparatory School, 25-year-old Kavindra’s interest in art and design led him to the Academy of Design where he studied graphic design. Combining his newfound passion with his studies, he incorporated photography into his final project at AOD- a photography book.
In 2011, Kavindra had his first camera and has since covered events and parties as an event photographer, while freelancing as a graphic designer. Working late nights at events while exhausting, provides the self-taught photographer with a few important lessons. “The expression and the moment are very important,” he says, and he carries this with him in all his work.
His debut exhibition of simple, everyday scenes is juxtaposed with subtle complexities and often overlooked little details, which allows his audiences a refreshing new perception of the otherwise ‘every day’.
Kavindra’s sharp eye and intuitive style is obvious to anyone who flips through his portfolio. Although most of his work consists of profiles and faces at special events “it takes only a couple of seconds” he claims, to capture an artistic image.
Kavindra: Maiden exhibition Pic by M.D. Nissanka
Among his collection are scenes of Anuradhapura and a view of three stupas from a drought-affected Tissawewa. Familiar buildings, stupas and animals feature in most of his photographs. “Eclipse” while being a diverse showcase, also highlights Kavindra’s love for architecture and history which goes beyond his childhood dream of becoming an archaeologist. “My grandfather was also into photography,” he recalls.
One particular sunset stands out. The scene is Colombo’s concrete jungle, but the view is unique. “That was from the 10th floor of the Dialog building,” a scene Kavindra glimpsed daily while working at Dialog for a stint. But the view seen at precisely 6.15 p.m. presented Kavindra with a shot of the quick shift from sunset to dusk. Savouring the moment is how “Eclipse” got its name. “It’s something you don’t really see all the time,” he adds simply.
With less than a week before he unveils his collection of more than 70 pieces, Kavindra is excited about the evolution of his hobby into a potential profession. “It doesn’t matter how expensive your camera is,” he explains, the secret behind any good picture is the expression and the photographer’s eye.
“Eclipse” Kavindra Amaratunga’s first exhibition of photography will be held on January 7 and 8 at the Lionel Wendt Art Centre from 9 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. daily. The photographs will be available to purchase. For further details check out the Facebook event page “Eclipse” or Kavindra’s page at Kavindra Amaratunga Photography.
