Arts
The rise of a lion, rod by rod
Chandana Gunathilake at work in his home cum workshop
The majestic beast with a rusting brown mane standing on the front porch of its creator Chandana Gunathilake’s home is made with ‘connecting rods’ of different sizes. The biggest ‘assembled art’ piece done in Sri Lanka using ‘connecting rods’- the full figure being 14 feet in length and 11 feet in height is now almost ready to meet the public.
An owl stares back at you
The sculpture was designed for his client, Edirisinghe Brothers Limited- a well known name in automotive engineering and mechanical services, and Chandana wanted to create something unique which would bring out the company’s 66- year expertise.
“I decided to build up a figures of a lion made with ‘connecting rod’- a rigid part inside engines which also has a connection to the company’s product portfolio,” says Chandana.
To design the sculpture of a lion, Chandana had to closely examine the anatomy of the animal. “At least twice a month, I visited the Zoo, observed and drew figures of different animals,” he said. Having made a rough sketch of a lion, he first moulded a miniature figure in clay.
It has taken him an entire year to build up the lion, the hardest part he says was setting the detailed outlines of the lion’s head. Special effort went to create the details of the lion’s mane with iron blades. “When working with a hard and rough medium like iron, one is prone to make mistakes. I had to do 10-15 tryouts when setting up the face,” Chandana reveals. Metals are hard to work with and to join the connecting rods Chandana had to weld the pieces together.
A graduate of the University of Visual and Performing Arts, majoring in sculpture Chandana tried his hand at assemble art back in 2007, diverting from the mainstream sculpture techniques and methods. He is a regular exhibitor at the annual ‘Kala Pola’.
“The artist must have an eye for creativity and the skill to find the most suitable metal parts for the creation,” Chandana says pointing to some polkichcha (Magpie-robin) birds made with tablespoons and an unfinished puffer fish made with valves.
The lion sculpture is almost complete and looking up at the giant beast Chandana feels proud of his creation. “Now I don’t feel like parting with the lion,” he laughs. “But a work of art should not remain with the artist. It should always be open for people to enjoy,” he notes.
Weighing around 2700kg (two and half tons) the lion will stand at the Ingurukade Junction, Colombo in the near future.
‘Art One Creations’- Chandana’s firm does sculpture, painting, house planning, interior design, assemble art, wood and stone carving, fibre works to wedding and flower decor. He is based at No. 134/5, Horahena Road, Rukmale, Pannipitiya, tel: 0775439909.
A spoonful of polkichcha. Pix by Sameera Weerasekera
The majestic lion will stand at the Ingurukade Junction in Colombo