Artistic hideout in the hills of Kandy
Meeting ground: A quiet space for art lovers. Pix by M.D. Nissanka
The artistic scene in Kandy has been finding new inspiration. The buzz is originating from an architect designed space where artists and art lovers are finding a congenial meeting ground. From meetings of the Kandy Writers Group to movies about Vincent Van Gogh and Gamperaliya, a talk by Prasad Fonseka on the Battle of Narambedda: Birth of Kandy City and Asgiri Vihara, wine tasting and ‘Barrels and Bottles’ a Quiz Night, the Atelier Kandy will host a range of events this January.
With beautiful vines twisting and turning on the walls, exquisite paintings and artifacts displayed in an open space, Atelier is a place unlike any other in the city. It is part of well known architect Rukshan Widyalankara’s vision to create a unique artistic space in Kandy.
Past President of the Commonwealth Association of Architects and Managing Director of the Escondite Group, Rukshan always had a soft spot for the historical city, the city of his birth, but felt nothing was happening in Kandy in terms of the arts. He would often compare Kandy to Colombo, and felt the need to create a space for art and artistic events. Rukshan saw the potential that Kandy has as an intellectual hub influenced by the University of Peradeniya, close by.
Hotel cum gallery: Art on the walls.
Atelier Kandy is thus the newest hotel of the Escondite Group. Atelier is the French word for an artist’s gallery and Escondite means hideout in Spanish so an artistic hideout would be a quite apt description.
Begun in 2017 Atelier faced a difficult time getting off the ground as the gallery was a new concept for the residents. But his concept of “gallery in a hotel” has now caught on and Atelier is now a lively arts community. Currently, many groups including the Drama Group, Kandy Writers’ Club, the Kandy Community Choral Society, and the Bridge Club meet at Atelier. At the ‘Midweek Musings’ art documentaries are showcased with around 40 regular arts enthusiasts at the gallery, a mix of foreigners living in Kandy and locals.
The architecture of the gallery indeed stands out due to its unique cross ventilation and natural lighting effects. “The garden has been taken into the hotel where I have kept half of the gallery open to the sky without a roof. Even the furniture is carefully designed to suit the space,” says Rukshan while showing light and movable furniture placed inside the gallery which is a mixture of both modern and traditional. An old ‘pettagama’ (wooden storage box) converted into a coffee table stands out.
Rukshan Wadyalankara
The gallery displays works of art by Sujith Ratnayake and Manoranjana Herath along with Kandy artists like Ajith Gunathilake and Asela Abeywardena. All the paintings hanging on the walls of Atelier Kandy except the ones in the rooms are for sale. A collection of sculpture and artifacts which Rukshan has handpicked from Europe and different parts of Sri Lanka can also be purchased.
Atelier Kandy is also a two storeyed hotel of four triple rooms and two suites. The three floors including the gallery and cafe at the ground floor are named after popular landmarks in Westminster, London. The ground floor is Trafalgar Square while the second and third are Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street. “A major portion of Kandyan history is shared and defined by the British,” says Rukshan, explaining the inspiration for the names.
What is great about Atelier Kandy is that anyone can come in, look at the art and relax there even without having to buy anything or order any food. In addition it is a great spot for coffee, with their signature coffee with cinnamon a ‘must-have’.
Atelier Kandy is at 538/3A/2, Siebel Place Circular Road, Peradeniya Road, Kandy. See also http://escondite.lk/atelier-kandy/. For upcoming events visit Atelier Kandy happenings on Facebook.