Await a feast for your eyes
It is not often that five artists of the calibre of Noeline Fernando, Royden O. Gibbs, Michael Anthonisz, G. Wathuwalagedara and Amaresh Perera, each well known in their own right hold a joint exhibition. But that’s what art lovers can look forward to come March.
The five artists gathered last week at the Sapumal Foundation in Colombo to speak on the exhibition, which has not been given a title yet. They will present close to 60 works, all striking examples of their distinct individual styles. All good friends, Noeline tells us that they are respectful of each other’s work, encouraging each other and working together to make a memorable exhibition for their viewers. “We paint for pleasure and for the sake of art,” Noeline says.
The idea proposed by Wathuwalagedara was received with delighted responses from his fellow artists. They didn’t go looking for sponsors and were happy when Kite Surfing Lanka promptly offered to sponsor the event.
First up, Noeline Fernando’s warm and lively personality made us almost forget that we were sitting down for an interview and not an art class. An artist and teacher, she has devoted her life to art. Her portfolio reveals the care she takes over her work – one of a woman in solitude clutching a simple Araliya flower in her hand in muted colours speaks volumes showing the light or the solace she finds in the inanimate object. “I always go in for emotions,” Noeline says.
Her paintings range from the routine tasks of daily life to the Kalpitiya beaches, a place dear to her. A self-proclaimed beer-girl she is also exhibiting a collage of magazine scraps of Bombay Gin, Carlsberg and Lion Beer advertisements with a female representation.
Veteran artist G. Wathuwalagedara is “in pursuit of excellence” and is described by his colleagues as someone “who paints and paints”. His work he says simply, “comes from deep inside”. Wathuwalagedara has had a vast amount of exposure and education which makes him the creator he is today. He has a “wider vision” and is not overly concerned with mundane things. He aspires for his art to have a “Universal appeal” and when sitting down in front of a canvas or sketch pad says he has no preconceived idea of what he is going to paint he only knows that he is done when he is thoroughly satisfied. He tries not to compartmentalize his work and doesn’t care to preach or “tell a story”.
Royden Gibbs
With an ambition to justly present the homogenous Sri Lankan culture to his viewer, Kandy artist Amaresh Perera has elements of Freudian philosophy and fluid movements of martial art embedded in his paintings. His pieces such as “Enlive” depict a juxtaposition of light and dark, much like most of his portfolio of work. His knowledge and experience with low country drumming and martial arts find expression in his fluid brush strokes. Exposing a homogenous colour palate Amaresh passionately states that art is a “medium which he can communicate his ideas”.
Wanderlust has never left him and Royden O. Gibbs can be seen travelling through the outskirts of a jungle or vanishing into places most of us wouldn’t dream of entering to capture a picture of the place in his mind’s eye. “I’m a bit of a sentimental guy,” Gibbs tells us. “The love to paint draws me to these places”. He chuckles that if he sees something that captures his attention he whisks out his sketch pad and starts recording it. “I love this country,” he says with passion and his paintings record landscapes and buildings that might not be there as time goes by. A daredevil and risk taker his work only reflects the pains he takes to capture the beauty that most of us overlook. Royden motivates himself with “No pain no gain” to pursue these journeys.
You would be sure to stop and turn back to Michael Anthonisz’s side of the gallery. With simple lines on a blank canvas this artist shows his dexterity in bringing out mind-stimulating imagery. With years of work unfolded in this exhibition he displays his multi – dimensional personality through his art.
Noeline Fernando
Michael Anthonisz
Amaresh Perera
G. Wathuwalagedara
Their Exhibition of drawings and paintings will be open to the public on March 4 and 5 at the J.D.A Perera Gallery from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance is free.