Santali’s world in its myriad colours
Figures of women in delicate lines and curves are Santali Wimala-singham’s favourite creations on canvas. The beauty she finds in every woman is exquisitely featured in her colourful paintings.
Santali’s first solo exhibition “An Odyssey in Colours” will be held on October 19 and 20 at the Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo where she will exhibit around 40 paintings, all oils on canvas.
Colours and curves: Santali’s work. Pix by Priyanka Samaraweera
Santali’s earliest memories in art go back to her childhood where her late father Parathalingam and mother Padma hung up her paintings around the house, encouraging her. Her passion for painting was evident during her schooldays when she won the “Senior Championship Cup” for Art at St.Bridget’s Convent.
The exhibition title “An Odyssey in Colours” stands as a metaphor for her artistic journey from childhood, seeing the world in its myriad colours.
“I like to express my inner sensuality in the form of art. It’s about expressing vibrancy with tenderness with essential components of sensuousness,” Santali explains.
Santali Wimalasingham
Oils give her complete freedom in painting as they can be blended easily.
After moving to England in 1983, family commitments and her professional studies to be a chartered management accountant took precedence but she always found time to paint even during the nights.
In 1991, she debuted her work at a group exhibition in York. Three of her seven paintings were sold. “It was the greatest joy I felt to see people from other nationalities loving my work,” she recalls.
Her inspirations come from her general outlook on the world as she perceives things in the form of colours. She greatly admires the works of Senaka Senanayake for the use of colours, curves and fine lines. Matisse and Picasso inspired her as a teenager and lately, her favourites are Sunil Nirmalalingam, Iromi Wijewardene and Marie Alles Fernando whose immense talent and prodigious work sustained her interest in art.
“My greatest critics are my two daughters – Arati and Akhila who are also gifted artists. My greatest joy are my three granddaughters who would join me on canvas when I paint,” Santali says. She is extremely grateful to her mentor, Lathifa Ismail, ‘the music behind her art’ for supporting her from her schooldays and her husband Dr. Victor Wimalasingham for constantly encouraging her.
“An Odyssey in Colours” will be held on October 19 and 20 at the Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.